The children of the abbey : a tale

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^^"

CHILDREN OF THE ABBEY

BEGIN. V MARIA ROCHE.

COMPI.KTK IN ONE VOL.

P in I. A D C L P II t A :

J. B. LIPPINCOTT k CO.

T II K

CHILDREN OF THE ABBEY

Br

BEGINA MARIA ROCHE

n

'*A oiatebleM pair;
AVith 4'qual rirtue formM uid equal grace,
Tk« Mine. diHlingnipb'd by their aez alone:
Ifeni the mild luiitre of the bloondng moro,
And hi« the radiiiuqa of the riien day."

Thomsov.

COMPI.ETK IN ONE VOL-

■» » i^

P II r L A D K L P II ! A :

J. r», j.iPPixroTT &' CO

tr .B \im\

719421

« .

T H K

CHILDREN OF THE ABBEY.

CHILDREN OF THE ABBEY.

Tdloir (iKtm Ooni rii

I iDtrm the ooltage hid mws'd,
idbLDv crept nabtalf tovadt

P Sut, iweet uylnm of 107 intho^ ! Oontent and InnoceDce reaide
Weath your hamble roof, and Oharity onboostful of the good U
readers. HatI, ye venerable trees! mj happieat honra of cMldisb
gaiety were passed beneath your shelter; then carolesa as the bird*
that acng upon joor boughs, I bnghed the hoars away, nor knew of

Here Bnrely I shall be guarded from duplicity, and, if not happy,
at least in some degree tranquil. Here unmoleBted may 1 wait, till
the mde Btorm of sorrow ia overblown, and my father's arma are
again expanded to receive me.

Snch were the words of Amanda, as the chiuse (which alio had
hired at a neighbouring village on qnitting the mail) tnmed down a
little verdant lane, almost darkened by old trees, whose tnlerwovea
branches allowed her scarcely a glimpse of her nnrse's cottage, till
■he had reached the door.

A number of tender recollections mahing upon her mind, rendered
her almost unable to alight ; but her nnrse and her hnsband, who had
been impatiently watching for the arrival of their fondling, asaiatet:
«r; and tlie former, obeying the dictatea of nature and affeotion,

10 CBILDRIII or THB IBBBT.

tbose thej sung came in Uieir niitling winds, and were teen to ben!)
with joy towards Uie sound of their pnuse." To proceed in the
boantifti! lonpinge of Ossian: "the aonnd was monrnful and low, liWe
the King of tbo tomb; ancb ns Fingnl beard when the crowded siglis
of his bosoiii rose;" and, "Bome of mj heroes are low," said the
grey-haired king of Morvon: "I hear the sound of death on the
liarp. Ossian, touch tlio trorobling string. Bid the sorrow rise, that
their spirits inay fly with joy to Morven'g woody hills." He lonched
the harp before the king; the aonnd was rnonrnful and low. "Bend
forwards from yonr elonds," he aaid; "gboats of my fathers, bend.
Lay by tlie red terror of your coarae. Receive the falKng chief;
whether he comes from a distant land, or rises IVom tbo rollii^ sea
let his robe of mist be near, his iipear that is formed of a olond;
place a half-eitinguished meteor by his side, in the form of the hero'a
sword. And, oh ! lot his conntenance be lovely, that his friends rosy
delight ia his presence. Bend from yonr clouds," he said, "ghoete
of ray fathers, bend."

The sweet enthusiasm which aroyie in Amanda's iilud from her
preeent situation her carefd nnrso soon pnt an end to, by reminding

fiflKn; to BiiD tfierefore, U> Hiin be niaei Uie fervent prs;er (or
I fBdering abortive ever; iclieme of treachery."

8h» prajed with &11 the ferveac; of devotion ; ber vandering
I ^woghU'were nil redtraioed, &ad her passions gradaallj Bubaided into

I "ffamied by a pare and ardent piety, that saored power ivhicb
I ^omee with lieaiiiig on its wings to the afflicted children of humanity,
1 ifae felt a placid hope epring in her heart, that whispered to it, all
I wonld yet be well.

Bbe rose traoqnil ond animated. Tbe inhabitaDts of the cottage
I v*^ retired to repoM ; and Bbe heard do sonnd eave the ticking of
1 tbe old clock troin the ontaide room. 8be went to the window, bdi-
[ iwaing the white oalico curtain, looked down the valley; it'wa*
I lllnininated by the beams of the moon, which tipt the trees with a
I ahculowy Nlrer, and tlirew a line of radiance on tbe clear rivulet.
I All waa still aa if creation slept npon the bosom of aerenity. Bere,
I while contempUtiDg tlie soeao, a sodden flatter at tbe window
I flUrtUd ber; and abe saw in & moment ailer a bird flit across, and
I |wrch on a tree whose bongbs diaded tbe easement : a soft aerenail*

Rls immediately begnn by tbe sweet and plaintive bird of sight.
Amanda at lei^gtb dropped tbe curtain and songht repose ; it sooD

bleat hec eyelids, and ahed a aweet ohUidon over all lier cares.

FtnaLAI, the father of Amanda, was tbe iesoendant of oi
Ihib bail;, whiah bad boweTer', nmbrtuiiately, attained the

tS uaiLiiitEK or THE iDDsr.

of iU prosperity long before hla entmnoe inlo life; eo that little tnOTt
than the name, once dignified by iUaaCrious actions, was loft to itp
posterity. The parents of Fitiftlan were supported by an employ-
ment under goTsmment, which enabled them to wive a smiUl snra for
their son, an only child, who, at an early perioJ, became ite soI»
ir.aster, by their dying witMn a short period of each oUier. As soon
w he had in some degree recovered the shock of snob calamJtiM, he
laid out his little pittance in tlie purchase of a commission, as a pro-
fession best sniting his inolinationa and finances.

The war between America and France bad then just commenced;
and Fitzalan's regiment waa amongst the first forces sent to the tail of
the former. The scenes of war, though dreadlidjy affecting to a sonl
of ciqnisite sensibility, such as he possessed, had not power to damp
the ardour of his spirit; for with the name he inherited the hardy
resolution of his progenitors.

lie had once the good fortune to save the life of a British soldier:
be was one of a small party, who, by the treachery of their guides,
were suddenly surprised in a wood, through which they were obMged
to pass, to join another detachment of the army. Their only way in

CRILDRSn or THE AUBET IB

Tlteflrst appeonince of tbe officers at the Abbey, was at a ball give»>
bj laily Diioreath, in coiiseqnence of their nrrival nenr il; the goltito
■parttnunts were Oecorated, and lighted up with a eplendonr that at
once diepUfeiJ taste and inogmBccDce: the Ughls, the mniilo, tha
brilliancy and onoaaal gaiety of the company, all gave to the spirit*
of Melvina an agreeabte tlnlter they had never before experienced;
and a brighter biooin than usual stole over ber lovely obeek.

The young co-heiresBea were eitremely admired by the military
heroes. Malrina as the eldest opened the ball with the oolonel: her
farta had attracted the eyes of Fil^atan, and vainly be attempted to
withdraw them, till the Uvely oonversation of Angnsta, who honoured
him with her hand, forced hini to restrain Im glanceB, and pay her
the sprightly attention aa generally eipeeted — when he came to turn
o Holvinft, be involuntarily detained her hand for a moment; ehd
blosbed, and the timid beam that stole from her h^-averted cyea
agibited Ma whole sool.

Partnere were changed in the course of the evening, and he seized
the 6ret opportunity that offered for engaging her; the softncsa of
her voice, the siraplioity yet elegance of her language, now (snptivated
Ills beert, as much as her form had charmed bis eyes.

Kever had he before seen an object be thought ball bo lovely or
engaging; with ber he could not support that lively strain of conver-
sation he bad done with her sister. Where the heart is mach inter*
eetcd, it wiQ not admit of trilling.

fitcalan was now in the meridian of mmiliood; Ills stature waa<
above tlie common size, and elegance and dignity were conspicnouaia
it ; liis features were regularly bondsome, and the fiurness of bis foro-
head proved what his complexion bad been, till change of ollmata
and hardship had embrowned it ; the exprewdon of bis conntenanos
WBi somewhat plaintive; his eyes bad a sweetness in them, thai

1 spoke a aonl of the tendorest feelings; and the smile that played
around liis moutli would hare adorned the face of female beauty.
When the dance wiUi Ludy Malvina was over, Lady Augustn took
rare for tlie remainder of the evening to engro^ all his attention.
Slie Uiought him by far the handsomest man in t)ie room, and gava
Itim no opportunity of avoiding ber; gallantry obliged Uiin to return
hw aaeldnitiea, and he was hy'hls brother otlicers set down in the list
pf her adorers. This ini'lahe lie enconiagcd; he ronM bear raillery-

ID cniLDDKN or the adbbt.

on flo iudifTprcnt Eubjoct ; and joined in the miitli, whicb the idea of
tuB lapng siege to tbe jonng heiress occAsioned.

He deluded Limself with no falae hopes relative to tbe reid object
of his passion ; lie knew the obslAcles between them were insuperable ;
but his heart waa too proud to oompldn of fat«; ho ahoiik off all
appearance of melancholy, and eeemad more animated than ever.

Hi:) visits at the Abbe; became oonstant ; Lady Augusta took them
o herself, and encouraged liis attentions ; as her mother rendered her
lierfect mistress of her own actions, she bad generally a levee of red
ooats every morning in her dreesing-room. Lady Jlalvina seldom
appeared; she was at those times almost always employed in reading
a her father; when that was not the cose, her own fiivourite avooa-
ions often detuned her in her room ; or else she wandered out, abont
the romantic rocks on the sea sliore ; she delighted in solitary ramMos,
and loved to visit the old peasants, who told her tales of her deported
mother's goodness; drawing tears of sorrow from her eyes, at the
irreparable loss she had sustained by her death.

Fitzalon went one morning as usnal to the Abbey to pay his constant
visit; OS he went through the gallery which led to Lady Angnslu's

CHICDRIX or THit ABBET 17

li>d««il," saiil Malvina, with a more pen^ve voice than usuul, luid loil
tlie wHy Ui her sister's dresgiDg-room.

LftdfAagaatawasapangling some ribbon; bnt at FitzaLm's entrance
ebe threw it asi^e, and asking if he hud been admiring her picture.
Tea, he Eaid, 'twas that alone had prevented hia before paying bia
homage to tlie original. lie proceeded in a etrain of compliments,
vhich bad more gallantrj than sincerity in them. Id the c<
of their trifling, he snatched a knot of the spangled ribbon, and
pinning it neit hia heart, declared it should remain there as a toll:
■gainst all future impressiona.

Be stole a glance at Lady Ualvina, — she held a book in lier hand;
tint her eyes were tnmed towards him, and a deadly paleness i
spread her conntenance.

fltzalon's spirit Tanished ; he started and declared he moat be gODO
immediately. Tlie dqecCion of Lady Malvina dwelt npon liia heart;
it flattered its fondness, but pained its sensibility. Ue lelt llie fort it
the evening imraediotoly after he had retired from the mess; he
strolled to tlie seft-side, and rambled a coDGiderable way among the
rocks. The scene was wild and solemn ; the shadows of evening v
beginning to descend ; the waves stole with low mnrmnrs upon
fhore, the soft breeze gently agitated the marine plants that grow
amongst Uie crevices of the rooks ; already were the sea fowl, with
harsh and melancholy criea, flocking to their nests, some lightly skim-
ming over the surface of the water, while others were seen, like dark
olonds, rising from the long beatb of the neighboring hills. Fttzalan
pQiBOed his way in deep and melancholy meditation, from which a
plaintive Scotch air, anng by the melljng voice of harmony itself,
roused him. Ue looked towards the spot &om whence the sonnd
proceeded, and beheld Lady Malvina standing on a low rock,
projection of which afllbrded her support. Nothing could be more
pictnresijne tlian her appearonc* : she looked like one of the beautiful
tbrms, which Ossian so often describes ; her white dress flattered
with tlie wind, and her daik hair hnng dishevelled around her.
FiiwdHH moved softly and stopped behind her; siie wept as she sung,
and wiped away her tears as she ceased singing: and she sighed
heavily. "Ah, my mother," she e»olaimed, "why was Malvins
briiind yout"

''To blew and improve mankind," cried Fitzalau, She acreanedj

18 CHILDREN or rax ABStr.

and would bare lUlen, had be not caught her iu hii arms : he pfuvailm)

on her to sit donn upun the rook, and alloiv him to support her, liU
tlie ugitalion bad sntuiided. "And whf," cried be, "sbcuUd lady
Ualvina give way to inelanohol]', bleased as she is with oil Chut cou
render bl'e desirable I Why seek its indnlgence by nunbling abont
tbeee dreary rocks," fit haunts uloae, he loiglit h&ve added, for tvreloh-
e-iness and nie) "Can I help wondering at your dtjettion," (contio-
ued be) "when lo all appearance, (at least) 1 iieeyou posscs^ied of erery
thing requisito to constitote felidtyl"

" Appearances are olten dcoeitfiil," said Malviua, (forgetting in that
moment tlio cautiou ehe had hitherto inviolably observed, of never
hinting at the ill, treatment she had received from the ooantesB rf
Dunreath and her daughter.) "Appearances are often deceitful," she
•aid, "as I, alasi too latally experience. The glare, the ostentation
of wealtli, a soul of eensibility would willingly regigQ for privacy and
ptainnesa, if tbey were to be attended with real friendship and
sympathy."

"And how few," cried Fitzalan, turning his eipressive eyes njion
her face, " can know Lady Ualvina without feeling ftiendHhip for her
iHthy for her Borrows." Aa he spoke, be preesed her

I

1

I

CB1I.08KN OF THE iBBIT- IB

Kueqttible, 1 am not sspiring," He then presented Lis band to
UttiTJosi Bhe deecmded from her seat, and the; walked towahjs the
Abbe;. Ijidj Uolvioa's pa«t) woa slow ; mnd hsr blushes, had Fitzalan
looked «t her, wwld have eipreaaed more pleasaro tbui rcseniiDent;
Khe e«eiiuNl to expect & itill farther JeohLration ; but Fitulan was too
confiued to Bpeak; nor indeed was it his ioteotion Rguo to indulge
himoetf on the daogerons BUlfject:. They procaeded in ailcnc«; &t the
Abbe; gate they stopped and he wiaiied her good night. ^' Shall wb
not noon see yoa at the Abbej ?" exclaimed Ladj Malvina in a flurried
voice, which seemed to eB; she thonght her adieu rather an hoatj
one. "No, my lovely friend," cried Fitialan, pauaicg, -whiio be
looked OD her with tho mo«t oomfiasBionbte tenderness, '^ In future I
^all cliiefly coDfioe myself to the fort." "Do yon dread an inva-
'■iont" atked she, smiling, vrbile a stolen glance of her eye gave a
pe<^]iar meaning to her wordti. " I long drended that," cried he, in
tbe same strain, "and uiy fears were well founded; but 1 must now
muster all my powers to di-tlodgo the enemy." Ue ki&sed her hand and
then predpitately retired.

Lady UalrinB repaired to her chamber in eooh tnmnlt of pleasure
■a she had never before e!i|<crienced, She admired FitzaliLU from the
-first evening she beheld him; though bis attenUona were directed to
her sister, the language of his eyes to her contradicted any attauh-
'luent these attentions niigbt have intimated ; his gentleneHs and
•rauibility seemed congemul to her own. Hitherto she had been the
tlave of tyranny and caprice ; and now, for the first time, experienced
tbat sootiiing tendcrneHS, her wounded feelings had so long sighod
tor. She was agitated and delight«d{ she overlooked every ol«tacle
to her wishee, and wai»d impatiently a fiulher explanation of Fit«-
alan's Mntiments.

Far different were his feelings from here ; to know he was beloved,
could scarcely yield him plsasure, wlicn he reflected on his hopeless
aitoatioii, whicli forbade Lis avaihng himself of any advantage lliflt
knowledge might have aflbrded. Of a union indeed, he did not dare
to think, since its conseqncno<M he knew must be destruction ; for,
rigid and anst«re as the earl was represented, he conld not flatter
himself he woold ever pardon snch a step ; and the means of support-
ing Lidy Malvina, in any degree of comfort, he did not posseaa him
He determined, as mncL as possible, to avoid her piemooe, ar.d

to

LDRia or

r^^retted oondnuBllf having yielded to the impulse or his heaH, uid
revealed hU love, since he believed it had augmented hers.

By degrees he discontinoed hia viaits at the Abbey; but often mot
Lady Malvina at parties in the neighbonrhood; caotiui:, however,
always sealed hia lips, and every appearance of particnlarity van
Rvoided. The time now approached for the departnre of the regi-
luent to Scotland ; and Lady Molvina, instead of the ezplaoatiou she
BO fondly expected, BO ordeatly desired, saw Fitzalan studions to
avoid lier.

The disappointioent this condnot gave rise to was too mach for the
tender and romantio heart of Malvina to bear, without secretly
repiuiog. Society grew irksome; ahe became more than ever
attached to solitarj rambles, which gave her opportonities of indnlg-
ing her sorrows withont reatraint; sorrows, pride oi\en reproached
her for experiencing.

It was within a week of ibe change of garrison, when Malvina
repured one evening to the rock, where Fitzal&n had discloaed his
tenderness ; a siinilarity of feeling led him thither ; he snw his dan-
ger, but he had no power to retreat; ha sat down by Malvina, and
they conversed for some time on different snttjecta; at last, after a

21

I

•bonliler and wept, " Good Heavens," oried FitiBlan, almost Irc^n-
bling beneath the lovel; burden he supported — "'Wliat a cruel flitu-
ktion it miael But, Malvioa, I will not, caiinot plunge jou iut/t
deetructioo. Led b^ necessit; as well us cboioe to eitibraca the pro
fuwion of a soldier, I Lave no income, but wbat is derived froia that
(irofeesion: though my own diBtreeses 1 could bear with .".jrtitude,
j-otirs would toUllj nnnian me; nor would m; hononr be leea injured
than my peace, were jou involved in diffionlties on mj account.
Our separation is therefore, alas, inevitable."

"Ohl DO," oxolaimed Malvina, "the dtlScolties jon have men-
tioned will vaniiib. My father's affections were early alienated from
me; and my late is of little consequence to him — nay, I have reason
to believe he will be glad of an eicuse for leaving fais large posses*
aions lo Augustai and ohl how little shall I envy her those poflseti-
aiona, if the happy destiny I now look forward to is mine." A»
ehe spoke her mild eyes rested on the face of Fitzolan, who cLisped
her to his bosom in a sudden transport of tenderness. " But though
my laliier is partial to Augusta," continued she, "I am sure he will not
be nnnatnral to me ; and though he may withhold alfluence, he will,
] am confident, allow me a competence — nay, Lady Dnnreath, I
believe, in pleasure at my removal from Uie Abbey, would, if ho
beaitated, in that respect become my intercessor."

The energy with which Malvina spoke, convinced Fitzalan of th« ,
strength of her affection. An eitsfy, never before felt, pervaded his
soul at the idea of bring BO beloved; vainly did prudence whisper, that
Malviua might be deluding hereelf with false hopes; tlie eugge»tions
of love triumphed over every consideration, and ngnin folding the fair
being he held in his arms, to his heart, he soft y asked, wonld she at
all events unite her destiny with liis.

Lady Udvina, who firmly believed wbat she had sold to him would
really happen, and who deemed a separation from him the greatest
ntiafurinne which could possibly beliiU her, blushed, and faltering,
yielded a willing consent.

The means of accomplishing their wishes occupied their thonghta
Fitxalan'a Ima^nation was too fertile not soon to suggest a scheme,
which had a probability of sncoees; be resolved to intmst the cliap'
loiu of the regiment with the affair, and request bis attendance tba
eawiing night in the chapel of the Abbey, where Lady Malvlna pro-^

....^.-.- uL jcnptii rcniin<lo(l tliom
niir: Fitznlaii t'onducted Malvinu to the Abbf'V
tiiv-'i]. each iiivolvtMl in a tmniilt ot' hope-', loai*s,
L' iK'xt iiioriiinj Lady Malvina brought her worl
iiig-room ; at last fitzalan entered : he was atta>
is long absence, which he ezoosed by pleading i
After trifling some time with her, he preraiied
L to the harpsiohord; and than gjUmdng at MalTi
romiaed aignaL

r oonadons eyea were instantly bent to the gn
was suddenly aacceeded by a deadly paleaesa;
her bosom ; and her agitation mnst have excited >
en perceived; bnt Fltsalan purposely bent over .
gave her an opportunity of retiring unnoticed ft\
on as she had regained a little compoeure^ she eal
!ter receiving many promises of seorecy, unfolded to
It was long past midnight hour ere MaMna t
ing to the dhapd ; when she at last rose for that
'ed universally; a kind of horror chilled her hei
* she was about doing wrong, and hesitated; 1
td on the noble generosity of Fitzalan, and that si
tated him to the measure they were about taktaj
a over ; and leaning on her maid, she stole thrai
eries, and lightly descending the stairs, enteied
terminated in a dark arched pasfvum *^^-^

Tlie lljbt which the m&id beld produced deep thadEiwB that hetglit-
l Aed the solmnnltir of the {dace.

" Tbej are not here," scud Uolvino, eneting her fearful eyes nronnd.
I She went lo t)ie door which opened into the llitck wood; but here

f only heard the breeze mstling amongst the trees; fhe tamed
I tnm it, and sinking opon the Bteps of the altar, gave way to an
I Hgnnj of tears and lamuntAtiona. A low mnrmnf reached her ear;
I Ae st&rt^d Dp ; the chapel door was gentlj pnshcd open, and Iltzalan
mtered witli the chaplain ; they bnd been watching in the wood for
I tte pppearanoo of light. Malvina was supported to the altar, and a

tr minates made her the wife of Fitzalan.

She had not conrage, till within a day or two previoua to the

■ nglment'a departore from Scotland, to acquaint the earl with her
' marriage; the connteaa already knew it, through the means of

Halvina's woman, who waa a creatore of her own. Lady Dunreath

exulted at the prospect of MalTlna'a min; it at once gratified the

malevolence of her gonl, and the avaricioas deures she had of

^increasing her own danghler's fortune: °he had, hesidea, another

KTMson to rejoice at it: thia woa, the attachment Lady AngQsta had

■ liMTnod for Fitzalan, which, her mother feared, would have preci-
Bfiltated her into a et«p as imprndcnt as her siHtcr'H, had she not been
■iafore with her.

m This fear the impetnons passion of Lady Angn.<ita natnrally excited,
vflhe really loved Fitzalan : a degree of ttantio rage possessed her tt
■Ml marriAge; she cnrsed her sister in the bitterness of her heart,
hM joined with Lady Dnnreatb in worlung up the earl's natnrally
■^rtere and violent passion into sach a paroiysm of tViry and resent-
UMnt, that he at last solemnly refused forgiveness to Malvina, and bid
MttB sever more appear in his presence.

B- She now began to tread tlie thorny path of life; and thocgh ber
Bplde was tender and atfectionate, nothing could allay her -anguish
Hbv IiKving Involved htm in difflcultiea, which his noUe spirit could
■1 brook or strnggle agunst The first year of their nnion she had s
Bpw, who was called alter her father, O^icar Dunreath : the four yearr
i- lh*t mraevded his birth were passed in wretchedness that baffles
I dtaeriptinn. At the tipimtion of this period their debts were m
l-|MrMeed, Fitzalan was compKllsd to sell.ont on half-pay. Ladf
BJttJrIna now expected an additiDO to her family; her situslioo, (he

t4 CHILDRBS OF IHE ABBET. •

bop«d, wouM move her fother's heart, and slie rcsdlved to cawy
ovory tiling wliich aSbnied the Bmalleat prospect of obtaining comfort
for her husband aotl bis babes: therefore lUie proTailed on him to
carry her to Scotland,

They lodged at a peasant's in the neighbonrhood of the Abbey; ha
informed them that the earl's infimiities were inorcasing, and lha.t
lady Danreath had jnst celebrated her danghter'a marriage with the
marquie of Roeellue. This nobleman had passionately admired Lady
Malvina: an admiration the countess always wiaheJ to tmnsfar to
her daughter. On the marriage of Malvina he went abroad: hi*
passion was conquered ere he returned to Scotland ; and he disdained
not the OTurtures made for Lis alliance from the Ahbey. His
favourite propenFities, pride and avarice, were gratified by thi) earl
of Dunrealh's sole heiress.

The day after her arrival Ladj Malvina sent little Oscar, with tho
old peasant, to the Abbey: Oscar was a perfect cbemb.

.! H 1 1 n K K s u r 1 H 1. . B B I r . 25

jtn to met" uiid tlio earl. "Because sbe said," ericd 0«c&r, "IhM
jva are my grandpapa — and she bids me love jou, and teacbcs lue
BTery dny to pray for you." "'neaTen bleeeyon, my lovoly prattler,"
excluuied Che earl, with sudden enj^tiou, paitiug his bead aa be spoke.
At this moraeDt Lady Dunreatb niahed into tbe apartmeTit; one of her
favoarites had followed Iier, to relate the scene that was going
forward within it, and she retorced with aJ! poeaible eipeditiOD to
connuract any dsngeroos impressions that m1(;bt be made upon the
tarVs mind. Eage inflamed her conntenanee: the earl knew the
vloleaoe of her temper; he was unequal to contention, and Laatily
motioned for the peasant to retire with the child. The account of hii
reception eiclted the most Sattcring hopes in the bosom of his
mother; she counted the tedious boors, in eipeetallon of a kind
> the Abbey; bat no snch siunmons came. The next
g the child was sent to it ; but the porter refused bim admit-
i, by the cipress command of the earl, he said. Frightened at
kta rudeness, the child returned weeping to bis mother, whose blasted
expectations wi-ung her heart with agony, and tears and lamontationi
broke from her. The evening was far advanced, when suddenly her
fntnrei brightened; "I wil! go," cried she, starting ap — "1 will
■l^n try to melt his obduracy. Oh I with what lowliness should a
{^■Qd bend before an offended parent. Oh I with what fortitude, what
uice, shoold a wife, a motljer, try to overcome difficulties, which
a of Laving precipitated Iho object of her tomicresl

'Tht night was dark and tempestuous : she would not snSer Filzatan
■ to attend ber, but she proceeded to the Abbey, leaning on the peas-
ant's arm. She wonld not bo repulsed at the door, but forced her way
into (he bail : here Lady Dunreatli met her, and, with mingled pride
ud cruelty, refused her access to her father, declaring it was by bj(
_terire she did bo. "Let me but see him for a moment," said the
'tly Buppliaat, clasping her white and emaciated hands together —
'"dy all that is tender in humanity, I beseech you to grant my
fvqueet." "Turn this frantic woman from tie Abliey," said tlie
implacable Lady Dnnreath, trembling with passion — "at your peril
fuffor her not to continue bore. — The pence of year lord is too pre-

fcdolIS to be disturbed by licr otcluiiiations.''
This Impeririti* ordpr Wftii hWnnilv "Ipt-ved, Iboufrb, ii Cordelia
■

(Wire

OUl LDK

ASB ■ T

MjB, " it was a niglit when one n'oold Qot h&ye (nmed an enemj'i
dog from the door." The ruin poured down in torrents: the sea
roared with awful violence : and tlie wind raged lhroii(;!i tbe woimI bb
if it would tear np Iho trees b^be roots, Tbc peasant ciiiivi tably
Sang hia pkad over Mnlvina; sm moved inecbanicolly along; liur
ieoses appeared quite stupefied; Fitzalan wat^jhatUur Iter at tlw dour;
she niebed luto bi» eit«n<lE!d arms, and fainted, and it was long era
■be showed any symptomB of retnming life. Fitialan wept over her
in the aeguiab and dietraction of hia goal; and scarcely could lie for-
bear eiecratiug the being who had so gricvonsly afflicted lier geiitla
q Tit ; by degrees she revived, Bud as she pressed liim feebly to her
breast, exclaimed, "The fatal stroke is given — 1 have been turned
from my father's door."

The cottage Id which they lodged aSbrdcd but few of the necessa-
ries, and none of Iho camfurts of ttfe ; «uch at least, aa they had been
accustomed to. la Malvina's present situation, Fitzalan dreaded tlie
loss of her life, shoitid they continue in their prcseut alKidc; but,
whitlier ooiild ho take bcr, wanderer ns ho was upon the face of tlia
earth? At length the faitliAd Edwin occurred to bis recollection; his

caiLDsiK or IBS a o s z y ST

I (vproachin); Iter bHrhnritj. "Oh cniell" the ghastly fignre seemed

j' lu My, " is il you, wlioni I foatereJ in my biwoin, ihnt liove June
iloed — driven forth my child, a fui'luru aud wretchod wiui-

Uli Cunscieace, how awful are ttiy terrors I thou art tlie vice];erurit
bof benven, and anticipate its vengeance, ere the GdiiI hour of rutrilMi-
rrivos. Guilt lany be triatiijiliant, hut never, never I'lili l^f
: it RmU no shield against iJiy j(ting» and arm wa. The hi-ur'
ruitest hlevds in every pore, and siiflia amidst guiuty anil :«[ilvii-

Tl.e unfortnDnte travellers were welooraeil with the truest hospiial-
If by by the graiel'ul Edwin; ho hod marrleil, soon utter his return tri>iu
T Auieriofl, a young girl to whom, from hii earUest youth, he was
l-tMiaclied. Ilis parents died soon after hia anion ; the whole of thifir
1* Utile patrimony devolved to hiu). Suotlied and attended with the
it tenderness and respect, Fitzalnu hoped I^dy Mutvioa n->uld
u bere r^nin her Ijenllh and [leace: he intended after her recovery, to
^«ndenvunr to lie put on full pay ; and trusted he should prevail on
o continue nt tlie (arm.
1- At laugth the hour oame, in which aha gave n daughter to liis arms.
I from tlio beginning of her illnesa, the people about Iier were alirm-id ;
J toil soon woa it proved tlieir alarms were well fnundud ; she lived
iMifter tli« birtli of her infant hut a few minutes, and died embracing
[ tier husband, and blessing bis child.

Fitzalon's feelings cannot well be deacribed ; they were at tirst loo
I tnncli lor reason, and he continued some time in perfect etu|iefiiotion,
i When tie regained Ids sensibility, his grief was not oulrogeons ; it
19 tlint deep, still sorrow, which fastens on the heart, and cannot
VTent iteelf in tears or lamentations ; he sat with calmness by the bed,
irliere the remaioa of Molvina lay ; he gazed witliont shrinking, on
vlier pale lace, which death, as if in pitj to his feellnifj, had not disligi
^<1ired ; lie kiksed lier cold lips, continually ozcluming, '^ Oh I lind we
r met, she might still have been living." His language wa*
kissiaetkinglike that ofa poet of her own country;

Wh, modflt. DrliaBQn-l]pp«d Saver,
I mat ibH Id a lucliku lioor.

Itwaa when he saw them about mruiiviBg her that all the temrwEt

SB CIIILDKHN OF THE ABBBT.

'if Ilis griof broke forth. Oh ! Low impossible to deacrilio the nnpjisli
of the I'oor widower's heart when he retiimod from seeing his Mal-
TiUB kid in lier lni<t receptacle I lie shut himself ap In tlie rttuiu
where she had expired, Rud ordered no one to opproaeh liira ; lie
threw himself npon the bed; he lud his cheek upon her pillow, he
BT:i''<|>e<l it to his tiosom, he wetted it witii tears, because slie lind
tuiMlhcd npon it. Oh how etill, how drearj, how desolate, did ult
iip|)ear around him 1 " And shall this desolaiioo never more be
enlivened," he exclaimed, "by the soft mnsio of Jlalvina's voice?
sliidl these eyea never more be cheered by beholding her angello
face?" Exhausted by his feelings, he snnk into a slumber; he
dreamed of Mulvina, and thought she lay beside him ; he awoke witJi
sudden extasy, and, under I^e strong impression of the dream, he
stretched ont liii arms to enfold her. Alas I all was empty void : he
started up : he groaned in the hitt«n]eas of his son! : lie traversed the
room witii a distracted pace; he sat him down in the little window
frora whence he could view the spire of the church (now glistening
in the moon-beams), by which she was interred. " Deep, still, and
profound," cried he, " is the sleep of my Malrina — the voice of love

II,
■I

F — " ■■■" '■"• "

traried," he said, "as the w[|« ot' a wretched xildier, uot as the
daughter of a wiioltliy pevr."

She had reqaesteil her inf^int migljt l>o colled utter her own mother;
. her reqaest was sacred to Fitznlno, and it was ba[itized b; the anited
L;||aiQe» of Amanda Molviaa. Mrs. Edwin was tlicn aursing her flret
l^rl : hnt bLe sent it out, and touk the iulont of Fitzaiiui in its platv
^ Id her boMm.

The 'none/ which Fit^alon hod procured b; disposing of bis com-
B.SUreiuD, was now nearlj oKliaitsled; bat his miad was loo enervated
B to allow birn to think of an; project for future support, Ladj Ual-
B'Vitia was deceased two montlis, when a nobleman caiiio into the
idghboiirhouJ, with whom Filzalan had once be«a intimately
[acquainted; the acquaintance waa now renewed; and Fitzalun'a
I appesrance, with the little history of bia misfortunes, so much
affected and interested hia friend, tliut without Btriicitatiim he pro-
cured him a company in a regiment, then stationed in Englnnd.
Thus did Fitzalan again enter inin active life; but bis spirits were

Ibrofcen, and his constitution injured. Four jrenrs he continned in the
ifrmy; when pining to have hh children (all tliat now remained of a
iroman be adored) undet' hia o^i care, lie obtained, thmutth the
|llt«reet of a friend, leave to sell out ; Oscar waa then eight, and
Amanda four ; the delighted father, aa be hulil them to his heart,
vept over them tears of mingled pain anil pleasure.
He had seen in Devonshire, where be was ijuartereJ for some time,
• little roniantio aohtude, quite ailapted to Us taste and finances: he
proposed for it, and soon became lis proprietor. Iljtber be carried
Jus children much against tlie inclinations of the Edwins, who loved
diem aa tlieir own ; Iwo exaellent achools In the neigh bo orhood gave
them the usual advantages of genteel education ; but as they wore
only day scholars, the improvement, or rather forming of their
morala, was the pleasing task of their father. To his assiduous oare,
too, they were indebted for the rapid progress tbey made in their
etodies, and for the graceful siijiplicity of their manners; U«y
rewarded bia care, and grew up as amiable and lovely as his fonde*

tvinlies could dcaire. — As Oscar advanced in life, his ffitber began to
Mpedencv new cares; fur he had not the power of putting him in
He way of mnliing any provision for himself. A military hl'e was
what Oscar appeared Bti»it>us fc)r ; !io bod early conceived n preililec-

tion for It, from Iieoriog bis fuiher apeak of the services be bod seen:
but tbougb he possessetl qnite the ^irit of a hero, lio IjeJ the tmcsl
tenderoess, lliemost engnpog BoOneaaof disiKJsilion; his temper wua,
[nileed, at Dnce, mild, artless, and afi*ectLoiiate. He was about eighteen,
When tlie proprietor of the estate on whicli his father held bis farm,
diod, and bis heir, a colonel in the anny, immediately came donn
from London to talce fonna] possesEion; he soon bccnmo ac<iaaiiitad
with Fitzalan, who, in the course of conversation one day, expressed
the anxiety he sufTcreil on his son's occonnt. The colonel said he waa
a fine youth, and it was a pity bo was not provided for : be left Devon-
shire, however, shortly after this, withont appearing in the least
ioterested about bim.

Fitzolnn's heait was oppresacd with anxiety; he conid not piiruhasfl
for his son withont depriving himself of support. With tlio noUo-
tnan who bad formerly serrci] him so essentially, lie liad kept np
le be quitted Ibe army; bnt be frequently hcani of
s told bo bad bocoirie quite a man of the world, which
lientiun of bis having lost all feeling: nn application ta
re, be feared would be unavailiug, and ho felt too proad

si

Jiunnne happened to tnrn on the Dunreatli family-, and hy degree*
**> FilzaUn, w)io tvos severely liUitiod and picied fur Lis coonexioD
ir=tL ii; tbe subject was, in tho opinion of Culonel Belgrove, m
Ajirojioa, he could not forbear describing his present eitnalion and
infiuietode about his son, who, bo snid, be fancied moat, like a secoui
Ciucinnaia!!, lalte the plough-share instead of the sword.

l-ord Cherhnrj lost no part of tliis discourse; tliongh iiiiinerBed in
politim and other intrinsic concerns, he ;et retained, and ivas ready
to ubef, the dictates of hnmanitf, particidarly when titey did not
Interfere with his own interests; be therefore directly conceived the
desigD of serving b!» old (riend.

Oscar soon qaitted Devonshire B,tieT his appointment, and bronght
a letter fnnu hi)i father to the colunul, Jn nhicli he was strongly
recoiDiocndoil to his pniteetion, la one unskilled in the ways rif men.

And now all Fitealan's cere devolved upon Amanda: and most
amply did she recompense it. To the iniproveniont of ber geniuo,
tho onltivaiioD of her talents, the' promotion of her father's Lap|^
neas eeemed her first incentive; without hiin no aMnuement wai
enjoyed, ivithmil liiin no sindy enlered npon; he iva^ lier friend,
gnardian, and |iroieetor; and no hingnage can express, no heart
(except s pateninl one) ooucElve the rapture be felt, at seeing ■
creature grow under

Some yeora bad elopaed since Oscar'a departure, ere Colonel BeU
■cnve returned Into their neighbourhood', be came soon nttcr his
anptiula had been celebrated in Ireland, with a lady of tliat country,
wliom Oscar's letters described as possessing every personal and
mental eliann, which could please or captivate the lieart. Colonel
Beltrrave oonie nnaccoinpnnied by bis fair bride. Fitzalnn, who
bell«ved liim bis benefactor, and eonsei|nently regarded bim as ■
friend (still thinking it was through lii« means Lord Cherbnrj- litid
nerved him,} immediately waited upon bim, and invited liim to hit
Imuic. Tlio invitation after Botne time was accejited; but had ha
imagined what an attraction the house eontained, he would have long
hwitoled abont entering it; he was a tnan, indeed, of the ino#t

OBILDBBX or

deprftTed prindplea, and an otject he admired, Qo tie or titaaUiiD,
hnwever sacred, eoutd guard trom Lib puriiuit.

Amanda was too inncli a cliild, wLen he was lost in tlie connlry, to
alCid^t liis ob»iervatjon : he liod therefore no idea that the Llo^win he
Uicu 80 careleesly overlooked had since eipaudeJ in auch beauty.

How great was tlien liis rapture and surprise, when Fitzalaa led
into tlie room where he liad received him, a tall, elegantly formed
sir), whose rosy eheok!i were dimpled with the iiofle3t suiile of com-
pliiccnee, and whose fine hlne eyea beamed with inodesly and grati-
tude npou him. He iu''t,imly marked her for hi^< prey, and blessed
Ills tucby stars, nhieh had inspired Filzulan with the idea of his
being his benefaetor, since tiiat would give hiro a freer access to
the house tl^an lie could otherwise have hopeJ for.

From this lima he became almost an inmate of it, eicept when ha
ehoBS to contrlre tittle parties at his own, for Amanda : ho took every
opportunity that olferod, without observation, to try to ingratiata
hiniaelf into her favour ; those opportnniUes the nnsu^pecting temper
of Fitzalan allowed to he frequent; he would as soon have tnisttJ
Amanda to the care of Belgrave, as to that of her brother, and
, therefore, prevented her walking out with him, when ho

88

Sulgrare was prnvoked acil mortified: tliu Bnftness of

Iiad tempted bim lo believe he wsa Dot indJfibreDl to her, ani tliat

die would prove an easy cuuiucst.

Poor Amanda would not appear in the prasenco of her fiitbor, till
le hail in Kiine degree regained comix isu re, u she feared tlio
oftheftfluir mjglit occaaion faUJ oonsoquenoes :
II, ti ietiei- was brought Ler; alia could uot lliink
'e tlie elfronler}' to write, And opeaeU it, supposing
acqaainlanco in tlie neighbourhood. How great
finding it from him! having tJirown
longer to Bsscine any diignise. Her

I anialleit ii
\ u slie eat wil
I Belgi-ave won!
it rnme from
I was the shotlc ehe snstained
I off tlie mask, be determined

I paleness an<] confusion fUarmed her father, and he instantly dera:
I tlie cause of htr ngilaiion ; she found longer concealment was impossi-
I Ue, and tlirowin^ heracif at her Cither's feet, besought him, as fihe
I pnt llie letter into tila hands, to restrain his passion. Wlien he
I perused it, he raided her up, and eoinnianded her as she vnlued his
I love or happiness, to inform him of every particular, relative to the
1 Insult die hod received ; she obeyed, thougb terrified to ijehold het
[ftllier trembling with emotion. Wlien she conohided, hu tender!}
I «inbrnMd her, nnd blddiog her confine herself to tlie bouse, i-use, and
I took down his lint; it was easy to guess whither he was going; her
I terror increased, and in a voice scarcely articniiite, she besought him
a risk Ids safety. lie comtnandod her silence with n steriinei«
Mver before a^umed ; his manner awed iicr ; but when slie saw him
leaving tlie room, licr feelings could no lunger be controlled; aha
rushed ftfter him, and flinging her arms round his neck fainted on it.
. ia tliifl situation, the nnhappy fiither was compelled to leave bur to
L tlie core of a moid, lest her ]iathot!c remonstrances sitoald delay tlte
I Teng«anoe lie rc«olved to take on a wretch, who had meditated a
(I of Boch atrocity against his pcsoo. Bat Belgrave was not to be
I (band. Scarcely, however, had Fitzalon retarncl to his hulf-dist meted
L dau^itcr, ere a letter was brought him from the wretch, in which he
I made the most degrading proposals, and biil Fitadaa beware- bow ha
L answered them, as his situation had put hlin entirely Into Lis

TMb was a fatal irulb ; Fitzalan had been tempted to moke a large
) bi^ farm, from nn idea of Uirnliig the little money ha .
o advAntoge. but was more ignorant of ogri culture tlian bo

3(

1111% .cil; mid iLia ignomnce, joined to liis own iti&.'gi'it; of heart,
remk-rmg liiin the dujio of BOTiie designing wrutclica in liis neigliliour-
liood, his whole Htock dtvinilied a.vay in unprotiuible eijierimetita
and he was nuw considembly in arrears with BelgrOiVe.

The ungeneroua 8dvniit4igi) bo strove to talie of liis aitaation,
incr?ii$e(I, if possiL>1o, hia indignation; and again iie songht hlio, bat
si ill without success.

Ittlgrave soon foand no temptation of jirosperity would prevail on
llie fatlier or dauglitcr to accede to his wisiios; he therefore resolvea
til try wlieiher the pressnre of adversity weald render tliem mora
complying, and left the country, liaTing first ordered his steward to
proceed directly against Fitialnc.

Tbo conseqnencii of his order wn£ on immedislA execQtion on his
etTecta: and, hut for the assistance of a good-natnred fiirnaer, he
wonld have been arrested. ISy tliis uicana, ani under favour of
night, !ie and Amanda set out for London ; they arrived there in safety,
and retired to obscure lodgings. In tliis honr of distress, Fitudan
conquered all talse pride, and wrote to Lord Cberbnry, entreating
him to procure some einjiloyuiuot which would relievo his present

I

t

CniLUBI;.v or TUK ABUKV. 30

q>P«hrBnce, pecoliarlj &dapled fur etuilj and contempUtiou;
around was aulitude aud ailence, save the boH rnstliiig of the treea,
whose dark fuUai,'B caot a boIcihd shadu npon tho windows. OpposiW
the entrance was another foldiug door, which being a little upened,
Amanda coald not re&ist tlie dedre she felt, of aeeing wlint was
beyond it: she eatered a large vaulted apartnieat, whoso airj light-
ness formed a pleasing ooatraat with the gloomy one she had left:
llie tnaaner in which it was fitted op, sjid the musical iustrumeuta
declared ibis to be a musio-room. It was hang with pnle green
damaak, sjxitled with silver and bordered with festoons of roses,
intermingled with light silver sprays ; the seats corresponding to the
fasQ^ngs; the tables were of fioe inlaid wood; and eaperb lustres
were anpended from the ceiling, which represented, in a ninsterly
a^Ie, scenes from some of the pastoral poets ; the orchestra, abont
the centre of the room, was enclosed with a light balnstrading of
white marble elevated by a few steps.

The windows of this room cominondiug a pleasant prospect of «
deep romantio dale; the liills, through which it wound, displaying a
beantifiil diversity of woody scenery, interspered with green pasti
and barren points of rocks : a fine liUI of water fell IVom one of Uia
highest of the hills, which, broken by intervening roots and branches
of trees, nm a hundred diifereut ways, Hparktiiig in the sunbeams u
they emerged from the shade.

Amanda stood long at the window enjoying ttiis delightful prospect,
and admiring the taste wtiicli bad cliosen this room for amusemeut;
tbns at once gratifying the eye and ear. On looking over the insi
ments, she saw a piano forte unlocked; she gently raised the lid and
touching the keys, found them in tolerable order. Amanda adored
mosio , her genius for it was great, and had received every advan>
t«ge her Hither could possibly give it : in cultivating it he hnd laid op .
a Aind of delight for himself, for " his soul was B stream, that flowed
■t pleasant sounds."

Amanda could not resist the prmont opportunity of grtitiljing her ^
bvonrite inclination. " Harmony and I," criod slie, " have loni; beea
■trangers to each other." Bhe sat down and played a lender littlt.
ur : those ber father loved rocnrred to recollection, and alie played t^
few of them with even more than usual elegance. " Ah dear aiid
volned oliject," she mmimfulK fiirbpd. "why an von not hen

dhare my pleflsiirel" She wiped away a atartiaj? t
reiuembrance, and began a simple air.

Tow melta bcfor* th j •

Add Ilnj csch ftUiag tear.

Amoniln saw a nnmbcr of rauaic books lying about; hbe exumiBcd
a few, and fonnd Ihey conlainpd coinpositions of pome of tlio most
eminent mnaters. They tempted her tii continue a lillie longer at the

I

CHAPTER IV.

tl

I

Amanda went svery morning to the llftH, where slie nUernalely
I pla<red anil read ; in the evening lilie agnin returned to il ; but instead
Of stajiug in tlie librarj-, general] j took a book from thence^ and read
M Itie foot of aome old mosa-covercd tree, delighted to hear its
brancbea gently roatliiig overhead, and myriads of snmnier flies
bamng in the ennny ray, from wbicb she was sheltered. Wlien she
could no longer see to read, she deported her book in the pkce alio
had taken it from, and rambled to the deepest recesses of the grove ;
this was the time she loved to saunter I'Arelessly along, while all tlie
jarring passions that obtmding core eidted, were hnshed to peaoo
by the solemnity and silence of the hour, and the soul felt at ouoa
I composed and elevated; thie was the time she loved to think on days
departed, and sketch those scenes of fuliclty, wbicli, she trusied, tlie
days to come wonld realize. — Sometimes she gave way to all the
enthnsiasu of a young and romantic fancy, and pictured to bcrBelf
the time, when the shades she wanderad beneath, were

Ber health gradnally grew better as the tranqnillity of her mind
increased; a funt blush again began to tinge her check, and her
lovely eyes beamed a placid Instre, through their long silken laslie«.

Sli« retnmcd one evening from her u^naJ ramble with one of those

tnnttccountable depressions on her spirita, to whioh, to a greater or
Ie«er degree, a!ino*t every one is atib.ject. When (ihe relirwl !<■ bed,
ler sleeping thoughts todk tlio tincture of liw waking ones, and
Imaget of the mort affectiaft n.itnrc anwe in 'it mini) ; *!io wonl

OBILDESH

A BBSr.

<3

tlirongh tbe whole story of her motlier's sufferings, and suddenly
ilreanit she bolidJ Lor ei[iiriQg under the greatest turture"; aud Uiat
while she v;e[<t lier l'aU>, tlje duiiUd opened, and discovered lier
ndurned with Berai)hio beauty, bemliiig wiih a benignant luok
toivarda her child, aa if to assure tier of her present hapiiimwi.
From this dreoin Amanda was roused, by tlie sufYest, sweetest sirwns
of luusio she hud ever heard; efae started witli aniazeiuent; siie
opened her cyeii, aod saw a light around her, far eioeeding that of
tiviiigbt. Her dream had made a deep ini]ires<iiun on her, and A
Bolemn awe diffused itself over her mind; she trembled universally;
but soon did the emotion of awe ^ve way to that of iur|irise, when
itiie heard on tlie outside of the window the following liaes from
Cowley, sung in a iiiaiily and exquisitely melodious luioe, the uiciiie
whioli woke her buiug uu!y a sympljony to them.

.mr\j-

43

Ere the volue ceased, Amsndn hnil qnile shaken off ihe effect? cf
lier dream ; and, when ell agnin n-as siknt, she drew tiuck ths
tain, and saw it was the iui>i>n, then at 1^;!!, wlibli, heaming
oiigli tlie cahco window uartaiiu, cast such a li^ht around her,
Tlie remainder ot tlie night was passed in raiuinnling on this strange
iiieiOent; it was evident the serenade was addressed to her; bnt she
not seen any one since her arrival <n tlie ncighlitmrliooJ, fTOin
wliom ahe could have eipected snch a coiiiiilltneot, or, indeed,
beUered capable of paying it; that tlje persun who paid it waa one
lo mean aecoraiilishments, from liia perfuruiance she could not
doubt. She resolved to conceal the incident, but to make snch
inquiries ttie iioit morning as might possibly lead to a ilisoorery.
From the aniwer those inquiries received, ilie clergyman was the
only person whom, with any degree of proliubility, she conid fix on;
■lie had never seen him, and was at a loss to conceive liow he knew
anycliing of her, till it occurred lie might have seen her going to
Tudor Hal], or rambling about it.

From Uic moment this idea arose, Amanda deemed it impmdcnt to
go to the Hall; yet so great was tlie pleasure slie eiperienced tliere,
■lie could not think of relinqniiihiiig it without the greatest rchie-
lance. She at last considered, if she lind o companion, it wuidd
remove any appearance of impropriety : Elltn wiu generally employed
at knitting; Amanda therefore saw that going to the Hall could
iDIerfere with her employment, and accordingly asked her
attendance thitlier, whidi the other joyfully agreed to. — "Wliiie yon
loiik over the books," siud Elteii, as tliey entered tlie libraiT, "I will
just step awny about a little business." "I beg you may not be long
absent," cried Amanda. Ellen assured her she would not, nnd Hew
off directly. She had, in troth, seen in an enclosure near the l!n!l,
Tim Chip, the carpenter, at work, who was ilie mral Adonis ofihesa
Bliade«; he had long selected Ellen for the fair nympli of his afleo-
; which distinction excited nut a little jealousy among tho
village girl", and considerably incrca'^d the vanity of Ellen, who
t-iuiiiphed in a conquest that at once gratilied her love, and einlled
Iier aliDVe her companions.

Amanda entered the musio room; the melodions strains she had
Lean] the preceding night dwelt upon her memory, and she sat
down to the piano, and Btlempt«d them ; her ear soon informed h«

44

l!mt the altempt was sncceesibl ; and lier^roico (as the words were
fHiiiUiar to her) tlien sccompanied tlie instrument. "Heavooly
eoundsl" eiolaimed Bome one behind her, as she concluded ginging,
Ariiftiida started in terror and confusion from the clioir, and beheld &
tidl and elegnnt joung man standing bj it. "Good heavt-n!" cried
she, bUbiliing, and haalll)' moving to Uie door, Bcarcel; knowing wlint
^tie s.iid, "witere can Elleibbei' "And do yon tliitik," nnld the
birun^'fr, springing fonvard, and intercepting her passage, "I Blinlllet
you escape in thia manner! No, really, my chnriiiing prl, I slionld
be tlie most insensible of boiiig^ if I did not avail myself of tba
happy opportunity chance afforded, of entreating leave to be intro-
duced U) you." As he spoke, he gently seized her hand, and cnrriod
it to bia lips. " Be assured sir," said Amanda, " the olmnce as you
[■all it, whjcli brouglit ns together, is to mo most unpleasant, as I fear
it has expo^d me to greater fn^edom than I have been accustomed

"And is it possible," «»'d be, " yon really fael an emotion of angerl
Well, I win relinqnish my lovely captive, if she condescendingly pro-
e here a few minutes longer, and grants me permis-

cfULtiiEtK or ivK Aoasv. iS

e liM made yoyll," he Boid, " and 'tis your l.nsta to avoM

I me bis ivcuvtii'iiod tliis di«urder. Could yon look into i)iy lienrr, yoa

foulJ llieti find tliere was no reason to fly from ine; tlie emDlimis

. that lovely (ace excil«s in a Huul of sensibility, oould never be iiiimi-

»! Ill your dttlety."

At t!ii» luoiiient Ainandn perceived Ellen leaping over n stile; she

mA Hi last l^ft Mr. Chip, Rfter pri)mi»in^-to meet Liin in tlie eveiiiiie

I at the Gotia;^ where the blind haritur wna to attend to give them m

n forward, but on seeing the stmnger started bftcl; in

I the utmost BinAxoment. "Blews rae," Haid Amanda, "I thought Ton

would never corao."

"Von gn then," said tlie stranger, "and give me no hope of t
■econd iuterview. Oh say," tnkitiK her hand, " will you not allow
me to wait npon you)" " It is ntterly impossible," rc|>lied Amanda,
"and I shall be quite dislressed, if longer detained."

*'8e« then," eud he, oponitig n gate wiiich led from tlie grove into
the road, " how like a courteous ktilght I release you from parnfiil cnp-
tiHty. But tliink not, thon beautiful though cruel fair i
tJQUed gajly, "I ehall resign my hopes of yet cuDi)aenng thy obdn-
[ racy."
^u>Ob Lord 1" cried Ellen, as they quitted the grove, " how did yon
VLOrd Mortimer?" "Lord Mortimer)" repeated

sel^ indeed," said Ellen, " and I think in all my porn days
ir more surprised, than wiien I saw him with yon, looking
•o H>ft and so sweet upon you ; to be sure he i;* a beautiful man ; and
besides that, the young lort of Tudor Hall," Amanda's spirits were
greatly flurried, when she heard he was tlie master of the mansion,
where ho liad found her Bested with ns much coni|)Osure as if pos-

As they were entering the cottage, Ellen, twitching Amanda's

IdMve cried " Look, look." Amanda, bastlly turning round, perceived
Lord Mortimer, who had slowly fbllowed them half way down the
Une; on being observed, he Hiniled, and, kissing his hand, retired.
Nurse was quite delighted at her child being seen by Lord Morti-
mer (which Ellen inlbnued her of:] her beauty, she was convinei'd.
bail exrited hia warmest admiration; and aihuiraliun miglit lead (she
did not doubt) to something more important. Amauda's heart flut-
ttfod with an agreeable sensation, as Ellen described to her mothef

4S OHILDBIX OF TBI AJXSr.

tlie tender looks nith which Lord Uortiraer regnrtlcd her. Slie wu
al tirst inclined lu believe tiiat in liia k^Idlilp alie liad found Uib
[tcrson, whose iiieludy so sgreeablj dislurlied lier sinruiierd; Uiit A
miriute'H reflection convinced her this belief iiiust he ernmcoio; it
WHS evideut (fur she would liave liCiard il) tliat Lord Uurtiiiivr luul
onl] arrived tliut day at Tudor Hull ; and even bad he seen her bel'urc.
uix^n con^iileratioQ she thonghC it improbable that lie^sliuuld liuvv
taken tlie trouble of coining in such a manner to a ]iei«on in s slat ion,
to lUl appcarazK^e, so infinitely beneath bis own. Yes, it was plain,
clioiice alone had letl liini to the ajiartinent where she BUt; and the
comniim-jiiace gallantry fasiiionable men are accostonied to, hud
dictated the language he addressed to her. She half sighed, as site
settled the mutter thus in Iier mint], aud again Qxed on the curate as
tlie serenador. Well, she was delcriuiued, if e\er he coine in lior
way, and dropped a hint of on attach'jieiit, she would iminedintel;'
crash any Uo|te« lie might liAve the va':Uty to entertain.

l»f tbej wont, AmBinln rambleil to the village ; and ieeiiag hersdl
Itiguod, lurued into tlie obiircli-;ard to rest u|K>n one uf tlie I'ai^d

Tho grnves were omainented with gariimds of cat paper, inter-
woven with flowers; tribntas of love from the village nutids to tlie
mor? of dieir departed f]-ien<!s.
As Anianda rested herself, ehe twined a garland of the wild flowcTS
krtie had gathered with Bol^ej, and bung it over the grave of Ladj
alviua ; her fine eyes raised to bcaveD, oa If invoking at the moment
iC npirit of her motlier to regard the vernal offering of her cliild ;
bila ber white bands were folded on ber heart, tmd she sofUj
Kclaimed, " Alasl is tide the only tribnte loft for me to pay!"
A low mnrmar, as if from voices near, Bturllod her at the inslAOt;
e turned with qnickiies?, and saw Lord Mortimer, with a young
l^rgviuan, half bid by some trees, attentively obi^erving ber. liliiAb-
; and confnsed, she drew her hat over ber fooe, and, cntcbicg
I* BetKcy's hand, hastened to the cottage.

Lord Mortiuier bad wondered about the skirta of tlie cottage, in

. liopcs of meeting her in the evening: on seeing the direction she

had token from it, be followed her ; and jost as she entered the

church-yard, Doexpectedly met the carato. His company, at a

noment so propitloua for Joining Amanda, he could well have dia-

[^pensed with : for ho was more anxious tliao. be cbuse to acknowledge

Hd himself to become acquainted with ber.

B Lord Mortimer was now in the glowing prime of life : bis pci-son
^ was strikingly elegant, and his manners insinuatingly pleasing ;
MilQcing sweetness dwelt in his smile, and, as be pleased, bis expres-
■ire eyes could sparkle with intelligence, or beam with sensibility,
tad to tlie eloquence of his language, the harmony of bia voice
imparted a charm, lliat seldom failed of being irresistible ; hut sonl
was naturally the scat of every virtue; but an derated rank, and
■plendid fortune had placed him in a sitnation somewhat inimical to
tbelr interoatit, fur lie liad not always strength to resist tljo strong
teinplolious nhicli suriitunded him ; but though he sometimes wan-
dwed fr«in the buuudories of virtue, he had never yet entered upon
tli« confines of vice, never really in,] ired innocence, or done a deed
which would wound tbe boacm of a friend : his heart was olive (o
•Tvj noble propeiuity of natare; compaMion was ooe of its strongest

ftling;, And never did bia l.^od refniie obedience to tbe generom
jl^e. Among tiie vnrionj flccoii]|i11slimeDU le posaeMed, was an
lisite ta&te for music, wliioii wilb every otLer talent, bad beeo
vated lo t!ie liigbesl degree of possible perfectiun ; hifl npeoding
y jenra alroad, bad given Lira every requiBite advantage for
'oving it. Tbe mh, melodioaa voice of Amanda, woald, of itself,
)6t bave m»de a conquest of Ids heart; bat, aided by tbe cliarma
er face and penson, was allogeiher irrosislible.
a had come into IValea, on pui'pose to pay a visit to an old
id in the Isle of Anglesea: he did not mean lo stop at Tndor-
; but witliin a few miles of it, the phaetfln in which ho travelled
n tlie fineness of tbe weather) was overturned, and be severely
. He procured a hired carriage, and proceeded to tbe HnJl, to
it himself into tlic bands of the good old honaekeeper, Mrs. Aberg-
lUy; who, posseting as great a stock of medical knowledge as
r Bountifiil herself^ he believed would cure bis broisca with
I nincb, or rather niore oipodilion, than any oountry surgeon
He gave strict oi^lura, that hia being at the Hall should
id, as be did not choose the few days, he hoped and

■ CHItOtiBKOFTUEADDur. 49

^pruM liiiu jeU* of Ilis rectiver; to gratify it, b,y taking a Into anil
MMreuBding bis lovelj cottage girl, lie oould no lunger riisliain tua
Hlmpatieaco to be knuwn to ber^ anO Ibo next day, lilenling from bid
■Mttreoieat, snrpria«d her, u alreadj reluted.

I Ai!! be oould not, without an utter rioktioo of gond manners, shake
Witt Howell, he contented himself with tallowing Amanda into the
nfaDrcfa-yonl, where, etuided b; the trees, be and bis eoinpunitm alond
HVatcbing her imnoUced, till an involuntary esclnmiiiiou of rtijiUire
Wftom bis lordabip discovered their eitoation. TFticn she depkrteil, lie
■tfaad llie inscription on the tomb-atoDe; but, from the difference of
Hbame«, this gave no insight into any coanexion botweeii her and the
■person it mentioned : Uowell could give no infonnation of either : he
BiraB bnt a young man, lat«ly a|>i>ointed to the parsuno^o, niid bud
l|Mever seen Amanda till that evening.

I. Lord Uortiner was solicitous, even to ■ degree of anxiety, to leora
mtbo real situation of Amanda: as Howell, in his pastoral function,
■^•d free aeceae to the houses of his parishioners, it oceuvred to Urn,
bbat be would be an excellent peraon lo discover it; ho therefore, as
bf from curiosity alone, expressed bis wish of knowiog who she ww),
Kad requested Uowell, if convenient, to follow her directly to Edwin's
H6ott«(,'e, (where, he sud, by chance be heard she lodgeil,) aitJ endeav-
Wkmr to find out from the giKid people erery thing about Iter. This
mequest IlnweU readily oompliecl with ; the fute, tlie Bgnre, the
■toeluicboly, andabove all the employment of Amanda, had interested
Bail MDsibility, and excited bis cnrio«ty.

Wt He Arrived soon atter ber at the cottage, and found her laughing ot
Mber mine, who was telling her, she was certain she thonld see bi-r n
Bp«al laty. Amanda rose to retire at bis entrance; but he, perceiving
Hbei intention, declared, if he disturbed her. ho would immediately
Puiart; ibe accordingly reseated herself, seci-etly please) at doing
mn, aa she thought, either from some look or word of the curate's she
Bnlgbt discover if he really was the |»crson who had serenaded lier^
Mum this idea she nliewed no aver-iene^ to enter into conversallon

M> The whole family, nurse cxee|ited, had fnllowed Kllcn to the danoe;
Bad that good womsm thought she could do no less for the boQonr of
B|nw«ll'« »i»it, thon prepare a Utile comfortable supper for him. Th»
Bl«iieV'-leni-e .■!' hin di.]»-iij.>ii, and inn-Kwil. p.ieiy of his t«ri>er.

fiO

lin'l r-:'. lereil liiru a ^u&t fuvjurite amoiigst his m.^tic ucngUiuuifl,
wli'-ir. ^L f»-|ueuL!^ amused iiith simplo btJlad» aiid pleasant Utlos.
Aiu.ii.ila aiiii he were left t£te-i-l6te, while tlio iiurt^ was hii$ie<] id
pre|>anng ber ?nIor>aii)i[ient ; and she was eoon as inuoli pleased wiiii
the cVgani's iTiil sijii]ihcitf uf his maimijps &s he vro? irith Uih
ioDOCisTice OJid itW[«tness oi hers. The olfjecte about tliem luitarailf
leu to rural nuhji:.'.!!^ anil from litem to what might olninst oe tenneil
a diiixortatioii on poetry: thia was a thauie peculinriy up^wable to
llawell, who wcno'l tlie pensive nmse heneath Ute sylvan shade; nor
WB» it less w to .Viimmla : she was a leuiona worshipper of the Mosea,
tliough diffideueo mailc her coiioeal her inrocfitions to theiii. She
was led to poinr out the beanlies of her favonrit* authors; sod th«
son scoiibility of her voice raised a kind of tender enthofiasm In
Eowdl's Eoiil ; he gazed and listened, oa if his eye conld never be
■atijSod with kcuing, or hU cor with hearing. At his partioular
reijtieat, Amanda recited the pathetic desoription of the curolii iLd hia
lovely daughter, i>om the Beaerled Village; a tor stule dowa her
*' cheek as sho prneeedeil. Uowell softly laid liia hand on hers, tmd
ejcloimed, "Guod Ucavcns, what an angel I"

I

w>D who had been at tbe onl^da of tbe window. After hia compid-
SAQce lo her, she coald not rc^fuso him aoe Boug ; the melodious aouuda
■unk into his heart; lie seemed feaoinated to the spot, nor thought of
moving, tiU the nurse gnire him a hint for that purpose, being afraid
of Amanda's sitting up too late,

Uc sighed as he entered his humhla dwelling; it was perhaps Iba
Brst sigh he had ever heaved for tbe narrowness of his fortujio,
"Yet," cried he, casting his eyes aronnd, "In this abode, low and
fanmble as it is, a soiil lite Amanda's might oiyoy felicity."

The purpose for which Lord Mortimer sent him to the cottnge, and
Lord Mortimer himself, were forgotten. Ilis lordship had engaged
Howell to snp with hiia afl«r the performanee of his enibussy, and
impatianUy wailed his arrlrol : he felt displeased, as Uie hours n
■way without bringing him; and, nnahloat last to restrain the im|
nosity of his feelings, proceeded U> the parsonage, wblah ho ent«
a few minutes after Howell. lie asked, witli no great complacency,
the reason he had not fulfilled hia engngeiiient. Abscrtied in one ideai
HoweU felt confused, agitated, and unable to IVame any excoae;
tlierefore simply said, what in reality waa tme, that he hod utterly
forgotten it.

"I suppose then," exclMmed Lord Mortimer, in a rufSed voice.
"yon haTe been very agreeably entertained."

" Delightfitlly," eaid HoweU.

l.ord Mortimer grew more displeased; hut his anger was i
levelled agtunat himself as well as Howell. He repented and regret-
ted the folly which hod thrown Howell in the way of such tempta*
Idon, and had perhspa raised a rival to liiraself.

"Well," cried he, after a few ho&ty paces about tbe room, "and
pny, what do yon know about Miss Dnnfordt"

"Abont her?" repeated Howell, as if starting from a reverifr—
"why nothing."

"Nothing!" re-echoed his lordship.

"No," replied Howell, "except tliat she is an angel."

l.ord Mortimer was now thoroughly convinced all was over witl
the poor parson; and resolved, in consequence of this conviction, t<
lose no time himself. He conid not depart, williout iminirinp lion
tbe evening bad been spent, and eiivie'l Howell tlie linpiiv inirntea h«
had so eloquently 'le«cTibeit,

OnAPTER VI

£ffiM; t]i« uiklUbftf If Ihi^r biutf At

Hij nrUuI loclo, dlHloBld^ lu ki t
WHb aLrr •annEU rrDm Uu mubli

■Wiiii* A.mar.(ln whs at breakfast tlje nest mortiing, BetROy bronglit
letter to ber; especting In hear from ber fatlier, ebe eogerly opeiieJ
t, and to ber great euq)rue perused tbe following lines:

retnmed to the rooin, the nurse bitterly lamcnteil her not wrill.ig,
"Great nisttera," she said, "ha'! often arisen fnmi Binall bii,'iiiiiin),'s.
She couhl ntil conceive why liis lortehip should be treated ia such a
manner: it woa not the way elie boil ever served her Edwin. Luix,
she remembered, if she gut but tlie scrawl of a pen from liiiii, she
nvcd to ait np to answer it." Amanda tried to persaade her it was
iitidier necessary nor pnipor for her to write. An hour passed in argu-
nienta between Iheui, when two servants came froni Tudor Hall to tha
cotliige with a small bouk-coso, which they sent in to Amanda, and their
lord's compliments, that in a few minutes he would have the bononr
of pajiug his reepecta to her,

Amanda felt agitated by tliis message, bat it was the agitation of
involnntary pleasnre. Her room was always perfectly ueat, yet did
ilie nurse and her two dau^tera low busy tlieni»elves with trying, if
posailtle, to pat it into nicer order; the garden waa ransacked for the
cbuice«t flowers to ornament it; nor would tliey depart, till they saw
Lord Mortimer approaching. — Amanda, who had opened -the book<
case, tlion snattheil up a hook, to avoid the apps.irftuce of sitting
in expectation of his coming.

He entered with su air at once eaay and I'espectful, and, taking her
hand, besoaght forgiveness for hia intrusion on the precedin;; day.
Amanda bluahed, and faltered ont something of the ooufii.sion she had
experienced from Lieing ao surprised : be re-seated her, and drawing »
chair dose to bers, said he had token the liberty uf sending a few
books to aiunso ber, till shu nguin condescended to visit the library,
which be entreated her to do; promising that, if she pleased, both
it and the mosic-rooin sbonld be eoored to her alone. She thanked
him for his politeness; but declared she mnst be eioused Irom going.
Lord Mortimer regarded her with a degree of tender admiration; an
admiration hdghiened by tiie contrast he drew in hia mind between
her and tlie generality of fashionable women he had seen, whom
he often secretly censured for sacrificing too largely at the shrine of
art and fashion. The pale and varied blush which mantled the clieek
of Amanda, at once announced itself to be on involuntary siifiiision ;
and ber dress was only remarkable for itd simplicity ; she wore a plaic
rithe of dimity, and an abbey cap of thin mnslin, that shaded withont
laling her face ami gave to it the soft eipre^sioii of n &Indi>nna ;

bi

her [jeantSful hair Ml in long ringlets down her book, and carled aiiOD
lier forehead.

" Good heaven !" cried Lord Mortiuier, '' how Los jonr idea dwelt
ui<oii my tiiiud since lajjt night! if in the morning I viaa uharmed, in
the evening I whs enraptured. Yoor loolcs, jonr attitnde, were then
hejond all thnl imiiginiitJOQ ix>u]d conceive of lovelinexs and grace :
yw> nppejircd as a being of another world, mourning over a kindred
spirit. 1 felt

Contused by tlie energj' of his words, and the anient glances La
directed lowarda her, Anianda scarcely knowing what she did, tnmed
over tlio leaves of tiie book she still held in her hatid ; in doing ao, sh«
fiiiw rtritteo on the title po^ tlit Earl of Cherhurj. — " Cherbury I"
repeiat«d she, in ostuniahtnenL

"Do you know hiriii" asVeii Lord Mortimer.

"Not personally; but I revere, I estutiii him; he ia one of tho
best, tho truest fricr-dg my t'nl.her ever Ijad."

"Oh liow happy," Bicluimwl Ixird Mortimer, "would his son be.

tna — let tbia," taking her soil hsnil, and pressiD? his .ips to :[, " b«
the pleilge of aniitj' between u^." lie iiow inquired wlien th«
intimacy between her t'i.ther anil liis liad comineuceil, and where tfaa
former was ; bo! from those inquirieii Amanda slirnnk. She reflected
that withoot her btbpr'H jienuissiou she Lad no right to answer
them ; and that in a ejtnaiion 1ilE« his and liora, too much caiilion
^•Ddli) not bu observed. Besidl^9, botli pride and delicacy ui tide h«r
a at present to conceal her falhcr'n red aitoation from Lord
rr^ she cocld not bear to tliiolc it alionld bo known his h>Iii
[i«ndence wiu on Lord Cherbury, nuc^Hain as it woa, whetlier liiot
(obleman n'onid ever answer big eipectotions. Slie repentral hating
•T dropped a hint of the intiniacj sabaiHting bEiween them, Hliii'h
rpli«« alone had riiade her do; ood tried to wave the BuhjiH'T. In
tbia design Lord Hi)rliiner aesisttJ her; for he had too miicli pene-
tration not inntantly to perceive it confnsed and distressed liur. He
reqne«te<l perinij^lon to renew liis visit; but Amanda, though well
I Inclined to grant hia request, yielded to pradunce instead of iiu-lma-
an, and bv^ge<l he would exuiisc liKr; Ilie seeming diKpaiiTy (:-ba
it lielpmying) In Ilieir situatiuns wotild render Itvery jinpru
n her to receive sncb \iails; she bln^licil, liali'-^iglied, and bent
a the ground as she spoke. Lord Mortimer contitiiieil 10
ntt. but ahe wa^ steady in rei'using; he would not depart, how-
:, till he had obtained permission to attend her in the evening to
■ part of Tudor Grove, whioh slie had never yet aeen, and lis
dceeribed as parti ctilarl)' beHUtiful. lie wanted to call for her at the
Sp]»intcd hour, but slie would not suffer this; atid lie was compelled
to he contented with leave to meet her near the cottage when it
cklne.

With a l<cutiTig heart she kepi her apiMiintrnent, and found liia
lordsliiji not niiuij yards dittant from the eolla^e, impatiently wait-
ing her approach. A brighter blooia tlian nsiiul glowed upon her
clieek, as she listened to his ardent expres'-ionu of admiration ; yet
not to eucb expressions wliich would soon have saleil an eur of
iclicncylike Amanda's did I.ord Mortimer conlioe himself; he iKin-
vnrions subjects; and the eloqnence of his langnoge. tlie
f his iniogi nation, and the justness of his rcmnrks, equally
Intised and interested his fair companion. There was indeed, in ilit>
tUpi<^>tit'n and manners of I.ord Morlimcr, liiai iiapl'y miiinre ef

M

iiiiiji:ulioo untl 9ullnos>:, nhiob at once niiiuws t]i4 bincv ftUd alCraet*
ilia licort; iu)d nevei- bad AmiLa(I& experienced snob niinuua ns shs
now psBseil with him; so deliglitful iii then progress, no r^iid in
'heir ouiirae. On ^nlering tlie walk lie liftd m^tioDed tA her, sho
•4IW Iw had nut oxoggeratcd itH beantjes; anei* {loaiiiig through maay
hiuic and slinded ulle;*, they ctimo to n smooth green lawn, obunt
'\liii'h llie troes rose in the ii>nu of an ainpliitheuire, Diid their dark,
iLi\iiri:iiil, mid die<|iii-red Bliadea prockiinod that nmongst tliem

Tli-> liiH'ii ^'iitly sliipL-d to II winding stremii, bo clear as [M>rfect1y
!o rcHcpt the liuiiiiifiil scenery of hratven now glowing with the gold
and purple of tlic setting Biin ; from the opposite bank of (lie atroam
rose a Etapendona tnonntain, diversified with little verdant hills and
didw, aod skirted witli n wild shrabbery, whose blossoms ijprfnrned
'Jie air with the most balmy fruRTanco. I/ird Moi'liiner prevailed

f ruii. UKK.iui'iuuAiiBEir. 57

I he Uiiusell' liaU litNtrd her e i id i anting puwers iii it. Aiiuuida alarutd, .

I and Mgerlj inquired wlien or hy wliat means. It wan too late f).t

I Us lurdBliip to rcceilii; (uid lie nut unl; confessed his conuealioant
]ie«r Ibe niDtait-riKira, but bis vi^it to lier winilow, ~ A siifl couinsinn,
intemiiiiKled with ^le(uur«, iwrvadcd the soul of Ainanila at tliis

I canressioo: and it wua M>iiie lime ere she was auffloieully composed tn
ooroply wiCJi Lord Uortimev's stilii'itatiuiu fur )ier lu tiint-; flie at last

> allowed him to U-ad lier to the centre (rf ii little rustic bridge thrown

I orer the Btreom, from wbenc« her voiue could he sufficiently dtxtin'
gaiahed for the luuno to k^p time to it, as l^rd Mortimer liad
directed. Her plointise and harmonioUB invocation, answered by tba
low breathing of tlie clarionet, which up|>CBred Hke the softest echo
of the monntain, liad the finest effect iraa^nable, and "took tb«
Impidsooed soul and wrapped it in Elyeiuni."

Lord MorUnier, for the first time in his life, found liimself at a loss
to ezpreu what ho felt: he oonduct«d her back to the sent, where, to*
her astonishment, she beheld frnita, ic«, and creams, laid oct as If
by the hand of mngic, for no mortal appeared near tlie spot. Duskf
twilight now warned her to return home ; but Lord Mortimer wouW
not saSbr her to deport, till she had partaken of this collation.

He was not by any means satisfied with the idea of only beholding
ber for an hour or two of an ereiiing; and wlien they catne near the
cottage, desired to know whether it was to cbance alone he was in
fatnre to be indebted for seeing her. Again he entreated permission
tu viiiil Ler sometimes in the tnaraing, promising he would never

I diiitnrb her avocations, bat would lie satisfied merely to sit and read

, to her, whenever she chose to work, and felt herself inclined for that
amusement : Amanda's refusals grew fainter, and at last she said, on

' the above mentioned conditions, he might sometimes eome. That ha -
•vailed himself of this permissioo is scarcely nonessary to say ; and
from this time few honn passed witliout thdr seeing eaitb ottier.

The cold reserve of Amanda by degrees wore awny ; from her
knowledge of hid family, she considered hitn more tlian a new or
common acquaintance. Tlie emotion she felt for Iitm, she tlionght
■anctioned by that knowledge, and the gratitude she felt for Lord
Clierlniry for Ids former conduct to lier father, which claimed.
the tlioiigliT, hei- rospeet and esteem for so near and vsliiahle a

1 f>iine*ion n( M,.. the w-rlli. slic could not liflp ii.knowkdfeitu; v\

M

C U I L D It K N

T II t i.BTlS

henel' of Lord Hanimer, would of itself alooe have uathiii-hed
tliem. llor licBrt folt he was one of the most amiable, the moat pleas-
ing of muo: tihe ouuUl scarcel; disguise, in any degree, the \iyely
plcasum she enjioriunced in liis Booiety ; uuy, she Sl^B^celJ thought it
neteasary In disgiiiae it, for it reaulted as innth from innocence u
Hensibility, and v/ut pliiued to Che account of friendship.

Bitt Lord Mortimer \vas too penetrating, not soou to perceive ho
■night ascribe ii to a softer iiupul^; with the most delicate attention,
tlie must teodi^ regard, he daily, nay hourly, in^iouated himself into
)ier heart, and secured for himself an interest in it, ere she was aware,
wiiich the efforts of subsequent resolution could not overcome, Hd
was the companion uf her rambles, the aUeviator of her griefe; the
care which bo often saddened her brow always vanished at his pre-
sence ; and io conversiog with him ahe forgot everj caose of sorrow.

He once or twice delicately hinted ot those circnmstanoes which at
Ills first visit she had mentioned, as aufSctentlj distressing to bewil-
der her recollection ; Amanda, with blushes, always shrunk from the
subject, sickening at the idea of his knowing, that her father depend-
u his for future sannort. If he ever addressed her serionslv i

CHILUHKN or TUB ABBKr. 59

faiiuiceaca] of viewjug tbeni, be vould aofUy sigb, and wish le wu

to bd her guide to them, a^ to point oat beautiea to b reflQeil and cuI-
Uvaied taste Vtlsa hor^ would be to liim the greatost pleasare be could
I pofisiblj experience.

S««il«il sometimes on the brow or a sLrnbby bill, aa they viewed

[ the sestt^red bamleta beneatli, be woiilil eipalJal« OD tbe pleasure he

OcinMivod there innat be in passiag a trtinqnil life with one Igrely and

[ tMluved ot^t: hie insidious eyes, turned towunls Amanda, at tliese

I iniiimes seemed to say. she was the being who coald realize all tlie

I ideas he entertained of snch a life; and when he naked her ojiiniDn

of hiit sentiments, her disordered blushes, and faltering accents, too

|)Uinl; betrayed her conscious feelings. Erery delicacy which Tudor

) lliill contnined, was daily sent to the cullngc, notwitlintnnding

I Aniandn's proliiliition lo t!ie contrary ; and soTUctimes Lord Mortimer

[ wan T'crmiiled to dine vritli her in tbe recess. Three weeks sjient in

[ tJils fniiiiliar manner, endoareil and attached tbora to each otlier more

Hiontlis would Invc it()[ie, passed in situations liable to iuterrnp-

CII AFTER VII.

TrowELL was no stranger to Uie timnner in which hours rolled away
I ftt llie cottapc; he hoTered round it. and seized every inlervBl of
I Ijird Mortimer's absence, to present liimseir before Amanda : his
I cmotiona betrayed his feelings, and Amanda aflvcloil reserve towarda

lira, in l«>pea of mpjiressiog his pamion ; n passion, she now !i©g»a

0 think, when hopeless, lunst be dreadful.

«0

Hovrell vu a prey to luelaacholj ; bat not for hinuelf atoQS did
[lo rnonm ; Tenra for the safety and happiness of Amiuida added tn hii
d<geetion ; lie dreaiied that Lord Mortimer, perhaps, like too many of
Ihe fiLshioaahle men, miglit make no scruple of avftiling himself of
any a<Ivaniage wliiuli conld be derived from a predilection in bis

Qe knew him, 'tia tme, to be amiahle: hat in opposition to that,
lie knew him to be volatile, and sometimes wild, and he trembled for
tlie unsuspecting credulity of Amfinda. "Thou|jh lost to me,"
e;icluiiiied the Qnliap|iy yonng man, "oh never, sweetest Amanda,
inayest tlioii bo lost to tliyself."

Ho hod received many proofe of esteem and fiiendship trom I^rd
Miirtiiner; hothereforestudiodliow hemightadinonishwithotit offend-
ing, oud save Ainntida without ipjnring hiuiscli'. It at last occnrred
that the pulpit woidd be th? surest way of effecting his wishes, where
tliH subject addressed to all, might particularly strike the one for
whom it was intended, without appearing as if designed for that pur-
pose ; and timely convince him, if indeed ho meditated any it^urious
dt>sigii against Amanda, of its Uogrance.

f (^ lo Ikt Creeuir fur conifort, wbose supportiog aiil ia no paitiunlarl v
L proiuised to ofUioUd Wi>rtli. Cheered by them she id able toeieittli^
I llttlo talenU of geiiiiis and taste, and draw U[raniDtliiHtry foi- her future
i npiwrt ! lier active virlutj, she thinks the best proofs of iscibmission
I Bbe can giv» to Ihn will of h«aven : uid iu lliese kiidable eieitiuiis
(sfae linds a cout^oiuiiA peoco, which the mera poiiseeaioii of tbrtune
T could besttiw. While thus euiphiyed, a sun uf pcrtidj se^ and
I nwrks her for his |>rey, because slie is si once iovcly and lielplew;
i her nu3iia|>evtint{ ci-odulilj kys her open to his ftrls, and his bkiidiah-
I muuta lij degrees allure her heart, the snare which he bus spread al
)a her : with tlie inconstancy of libertiiiitiin he suou deserti
Lhrr, and again she is jjhiDgml into distress. But nutrk the diU'urunce
(sf Iter first and second lidJ; conacienue no longer leuda its opposing
il to Bton lier sorrow ; dospair, instead uf liope, nrisea; without
« frieml Ui wiotlie the pains of death, one pitying soul U> wliisper
ace to lice deporting spirit ; iniialteit too, pertiaps, by suiiio unfeeling
I baitig, whota want of siinilni' Unnptations alone, perliDps saved from
I aimilar imprudences ; slie sinks an early victiin to wretchedness.
k Stiwell paused ; the fUUiiess of his heart ntonnted to his eyes, which
fatTolantarily tnrned and rested upon Amanda ; interested by his sim-
ple and patliotic elociuenoe, she hud risen, and leaned over the pew,
bar head rented on her band, and her eyes fuetencd on his fuoe. Lord
Mortimer lind also ri»ii, and alternately gazed on IIuwcU and Aman-
da, parliotiUirly waCcLed the Iatt«r, to nee how the subject wonld
I aSect her. He nt last saw the t«nrs trickling down her cheeks ; t!ie
» of her '.wn situation, and ttie stratogeuis of Uelgrave, made
e ns'i'iKM, perceive llie I'erairibUnce l«tween herself and
I the picture lluwcll liad drawn. Lord Mortimer was iinntterolily
I nffiKted by her tiNus, a. faitil Mckness seized him, he sunk upon his
t, and covered his face witli his handkerchief to hide his emotion ;
I but by the time service was aver, it was pretty well dissipated,
I Amanda retumct home, and Lord Mortimer waited for Itowcll's
I Doming onl of church. " What the devil, Ilowell," said he, " did
n by giving sodi an exhortation I Have you discovered any
I Ultle ol&ir going on between some of yoor mstio ncit;libour8 J" T!:e
1 paraoo coloured, bnt remained sll^t; Lord Mortimer rallied him a
I Ultle mora, and tlien deported ; but his gaiety wu* ojdy assumed.

On his Drftt arqualntAnee wilh .\inanda, iu cim-fqiience of whal

lie lieuTil fratn Mrs. Abergwilly, and observed himscli^ lie hod beffli
leinpleil to think her involved in mystery; and what btit impropriety,
te thought, could oconsioa mystery. To eee eo yoting, eo lovely, so
e>giLiit a creatnrc, an inmate of a sequestered oottnge, nssooiating
with people (in niaiinem nt least) so infinitely Ircneath lier; Co see her
treriihJiug and blushiog if a word was droppeii thot seemed tending
II inquire into her motives for retirement; all these circninatances,
I say, considered, naturally excited a snspioion ipjnrioue to her in the
mind of Mortimer; and he was tempted to think some deviM.iun
n prudence had, by depriving lier of tlie fbvonr of her friends,
made her retire to obscurity ; and that she would not ditilike an
opportnnity of emerging trom it, he could not help tliinking. In
eoiise<iiienuD of tliese ideas, he Dould not thiid: himself very cnlpabla
n euL-ouroging tlic. wishes lier loveliness gave ri^ to: besides, lie bad
'i;i)ie reason to suspect she desired to inspire him vritli these wishes;
Vir Mm. Abergwilly told liim she had informed Mrs. Edwin of his
irrival; an information he conld not doubt her having immediately
coinmuuicjited lo Amanda; therctbre, her continning to coinu to tho
Uall seemed as if she wished to throw herself in his way. Mrs.

in iiitimocj between tlium, pariiuiila-ly
Bobject WHS mentioned, sliriokin^ nntn

b; and, faltering liijiiself it
9 prcseut at leust, u> luimuur

^B c tf I L II R E K

^V 'fee given hi lier n^nerUoii of .

^Vi M be raw her, whenever the

^B It la the greatest f'Dnfiiirion.

^1 Her reserve he impnted to jircleui

^V' wonld soon wetir off, detemiined, for i.l

^P' Iwr affecUttion.

* With snch idens, such BsntimeutM, liml Lwd Mortimor's first visit
to Afflftnda commenced ; but they experienced an immediate change,
M the decreasing reserve of her manners gare him greater and mora
frequent opportucitiea of dJBCOverilig her mental perfectionB; "he
■trength of ber imderBtoiidiDg, theJnstnesB of her remarks, Iho live-
SneMof her fancy; above alt, the poritj whiith mingled in every sen-
timent, and the modesty which accompanied every word, filled him

► irith delight and oinaxement; hia dnnbta gradually lessened, and at
bet vanished, and with tli«m every design, wbioh tbey, alone, bod
•Terpven ri»e to. Esteem was now nnit^ to love, and renl respect
to admiration ; in her society be only was happy, and thought not,
or ratber, would not suffer himself to tliink, on the eonsAiitence of
BDch an attachment. It raiglit be said he was entranced in pleasure,
from wbich Howell completely roused him, and made him seriously
Hk bis heart, what were its intentions rebtive to Amanda, — Of suob
views aa tie perceived Howetl snspocted bim of barbouriug, his con-
Mienoe entirely acquitted bim ; yet su great were the obstacles be knew

tin tbe way of an union between him and Amanda, that bo almost
regretted (as every one does who acts against Uieir better judgment)
'fliat be hod not fled at the flmt intimation of hia danger. So truly
fiirmidable indeed, did these olatjicles appear, that be ut tiniei
resolved to break with Aroando, if be could fix upon any pluu fur
dtring so, witboot injuring bis honour, after the great attention he
tiad paid ber.

Ere he came to any fiual ilelenniiiatioD, however, lie resolved to
try and discover ber real eitnation; if he even left her, it woidd ha
■ oatiafaction to liis heart to know, whether his friendship conid be
■erviceable; and if an opposite measure was his plan, it oonld never
be put in exeention, without the desired inri>rmation. lie acoord*
Ingly wrot« to hia sister, Lruiy Anmiiiita Donner, who wns then in
llie country with Lord Cherbury, to request she would inriuire fWim
^.Ui father, whether he Vmw a jn-i-Mm of tbn naiJio of Diiiiford; «nd.

04

1 ilid, what his Bituatiun and family were. Lurd Mortimer tagged
Ler J^dyehip out to mtntion tlie infjuiries being Oiulstcd by liitn,
and prmiiised, at s<mio future iieriud, to es^iilaiii the reHson uf them.
He still contiutied liis ftKHidoitiea to Amuida, and at tlw expected
B I'eccived mi answer to his ktt«r ; but how waa he sbiwked and
alarmed, when informed, Lord Cherbury never knew a person of the
naiDU of Duntiirdl His doubts began to revive; but before he
yielded entirely to thtm, he resolved to go to Aniando, and inquire
from lier, in the most exjiiicit terms, how, and at 'what time, her
father and the earl bad become acquainted ; determined, if she
iVi'ered him without embarrassment, to mention tJ> his sisler what-
r circunistancea she related, lest a forg;etf^lness of them Lad alone
mmle the earl deoy his knowledge of Dunford. Just as be was pass*
iiig the grove with this intent, he espied Edwin and his wife coming
down a cross-road from tlie village where they had been with poul-
try and vegetables ; it instantly occurred to liim, tlial these people, in
the simplicity of their hearts, might noftild the real sitnatioD of
Aiaando, and save him the painful necessity of making iuijuirioB,
which she, perhaps, would not answer, w ifliout his real motives for

OS

I fiihik ns over ftn<1 above getiteel, wtien she heard we iia<l aided
I 7enimy Hawthorn for it, when he came down rrom London wiLh her.
I All we Toiist do is jost to drop wirae hints, as it were, of her sitan-
I tioii, &nd then his lordship, to be saro, will make hia advantage of
I them, ani] ask her every thing opont herself, and Ihon ith« will tell

■ him ail of tier own accord: so, David, tnind what Isay, I charge yoii."
I "Ay, ay," ericd David, "leave me alone; I'll warrant yon'll alwayi
I fin'1 an old eoldier cute enongh for any poty.'' When thej readied
I the Hill! they were shown into u parlour, where Lord Mortiroe; was
I «3pecting them ; with difficnlty he made them sit down at the table,
I irhere meat and wine were laid ont for them : after they had par-
I taken of them. Lord Mortimer began wilh asking Edwin some qnea-
I tioDB about his ftkrm (for he waa a tenant on the Tndor estnt«), and
I whether there was any thing wonting to render it more ooinfortahlB.
I "No," Edwin replied, with a low bow, thanking his hononrablo lord-
I Bhip Ibr his inqniry. Lord Mortimer fpoke of his family. " Ay, Cot
I pleiis the poor things," Edwin said, " they were to be sure a fine
I thriving set of children." Still Lord Mortimer had not tonehed on
I the mbject nearest his heart; he felt embarrassed and agitated: at
I hat, wilh as mnoh composure as he could assume, he aski'd bow
I long they imagined Miss Dnnford wonU! »Uy with thorn. Now wa*
I the nurse's time to speak ; she had liithcrto sat simpering and bow>
I Ing. *'That depended on circomEtaucee," she said. "Poor tear
1 yonng laty, though their little cottage was so obscure, and so unlike
I any thing aho had before been aecnatomcd to, she made herself qnita
Irhappy with it." "Her father ranat miss her sodety very much,"
B adaimed Lord Mortimer. "Tear heart, to be sure he docs" cried

■ imrse. "Well, strange things happen every tay; but stJU I never
B tiionght what tid happen would have happened, to make the poor
B dd gentleman and his daughter part." "What happened t" eirclaimed

■ Lord Mortimer, starting, and suddenly stopping in the middle of the
I room; for lutherto he had been walking backwards and forwards,
m ^was not her business, the nurse replied, by no manner of means, to
I be speaking apout the affairs of her petters ; but for all that, she
E oould not help saying, because she thought it a pity his lonlaliip,
B «ho was so good, and so affable, should remain in ignorance of

■ **ery thing, that Miss Amanda was not what she appeared to I* ; no,
l.tf the truth WMfiiid, not 'lieperewi -lie pOfsed for nt all; "Imt h-rt.

lis

sLe would uever forgive me," cried the nurse, " if yoar lortsliip told
tier, it was from me joar lort^ip heard tbis. Poor UMt thing, sha
is very aaivilling to hsve her situation known, though she is not the
firet poty who has met with a pad man ; and shama and sorrow be
upon him, who tistrest herself and her father."

JLor'l Uortimcr liad heard cnongh; every doubt, every enspiciun
was realized ; and ha was eijuaUy unable and unwilling to inquire
I'urthei'. It was plain ilmaiHla was unworthy of his esteem: and to
[□quire into the circnmatancea wliich occasioned tliat un worth iuuas,
wotdd only bnve toriured him. He mng the bell abruptly, and
crduring Mrs. Abergwilly to attend tbe Eilwius, withdrew ianiiedi-
iitelj to another room. Now was there an opportunity for Lord
ii'ortiwer to break with Amanda, witimnt the smallest imputation on
iiis huiiuur. Did it give him pleasure! No: it filled him with
sorrow, disiippointmeut, and anguish; the Boltaesa of hw manners
even more tljan the beauty of her person, liad faMinated hie soul, and
made him determine, if ho found her worthy (of which indeed be had
tlien but liille doubt,) to ceoso not. till every obstacle whioh coald
impede tlieir union should he overi.'ome. He was inspired with

ft Am- amilfl of iiuiocence and love, entivenei] aU her festnrcs. She
I acemnl guddeul; to forgot ber ba:id was detdoed by Lord Uortimer,

0 JoDgcT did she attempt to free it; elie nffered bitn gently to
I draw it wiClun his, and lead her to the favourite hannt iu Tudor

Fleoacd, jet bloabing and confused, she beard Lord Mortimer, with
I more energy than he bad ever yet exprevsed himseir witb, declare
I tfie pain he Bu&red the days be saw her nut. From liis ai-dent — Ids
L pRSBionate eiprwsiomi, what could the innocent Amanda infer, bnt
1 tlmt be intended, by nniting bis destiny to bers, tn scenre to himself
I. Sfivcicty he to highly valued! What could xlie infer, but tbnt he

1 immediately to speak in explicit terms? The ideit wiu too
I jleasiDg to be received in tiaiiqaillity, and her whole sonl felt
k^tated. Wliile tbey pnnsued their way through Tndor Grove, tlie
r«ky which had been lowering the whole day, became auddcniy more
r darkened, and byita increasing gloom foretold an approacbiug storm.
^'Lord Uortimer no longer ojiposed Amanda's returning home; Mt

carwly had Uiey turned for th.it purpose, ere the vivid lightning
|l flashed across their path, and the tbiinder was awfidly reverberated
Unony^t the bills.

The Hall was mnch nearer than the cottage, and Lord Mortimer,
throwing his onn around Amanda's waist, linrried her to it; bnt ere
they reached the library, whone door was the first they came to, the
k jain began pouring with violence. T>ird Mortimer snatched off
P Amanda's wet hat and cloak (the rest of her clothes were quite dry,)
l#nd immediately ordered tea and «oftee, as she refused any other
ft .teTreslimont ; be dismissed the attendant*, that lie might, witboat
m observation or restraint, enjoy ber society. As she preoided at the
■ .tn-table, his eyes, with tlie fondest ragitare, were fastened on her
Vjbce, which never had appeared more lovely: eierejso bad beightenpd
W the polo tint of ber cheek, over wbirh ber glossy hair curled in bcau-
I Cful disorder; tlie noiisuol glow gave a greater radiance to her eves,
I whose soft confiision denoted tlie pleasure she experienced from the
B klieniioDS of Lord Mortimer.

I He restrained not, he could not restrain the feelings of bis soul.
I "Oh what bappinessi" he ercldmed. "No wonder I Bmnd all
I mcicty tasteless after having experienced yours. Where could I fliii'
I «nch softness, vet snch sensibilitv; such sweetni'fs yet ""icb btvw*-

?0

tioD i aacli beauty, vet such apparent unooosdousDMS of it. Oh, my
Auiaada, sntootldy must tnat Ufa glide on whose destiny you sliall
eliwe." AmjiiJa cndeaviurfct' to check these Iraiwports, yet sccreLly
thay filled her with delight, for she regarded them ijb the sincero
cffusioDs of Lonorulile love. Present happiness, howovur, conld not
roider her forgetfnl of prooriety; by the lime ton vaa over, the
evening begnn tu jlear, and sl-e protested she inuBt depart; Lord
Mortimer prolo^'isl against this for some time longer, and at last
liroaght her to the window, to convince her there was still a slight
rail! Mllng. lie promised to see lier home as soon as it was over,
and entreated, in the mean tirne, she wonld gratify him with a s«nng.
Aniauda di<l not refuse ; bat the raptures ho expressed whUe singing,
she tlioni;ht Iw violent, and rose from the piano when she had eon-
clud'td, in spite of his entreaties to the contrary. She innisted on
gottjtii,' her hut and ohtak, whicii hod been sent U> itn, Aborgwilly
to dry; l.onl Mortimer at last reluctantly went ont to obey her.

Amanda walked to the window ; the prospect from it was lovely ;
the e/u'uinj was now perfectly serene, a few light clonds alone floated
in the sVy, their lucid skirts tinged witli purple rays from the dwti-

71

L- AlDSnda 1>lns}ie(1, and averted her head, unatilc to apenk.
I» "Ah, whj," lionliaiied he, pursuing her averted eyes wiu his
■i^'riiould we create unta'^iMess In ourselves, by agato separating 1 "
m^ Aoianda hiofced ui>at these wi>rils, with in VDluiitary surprise in lie.'
B»POT|[itnmiir f Ixird Mnrtiiner understood It : tie «iw she had hitljeru>
lldslrded herself with thinking his intentious towards her verv diSir-
Ei^t iroin what the; reall; were; to safier her longer tu decuve lior-
litelf, noold, he thoug:ht, be eruclt;. StrftoinK her lo his heating
I iboft, he imprinted a lua» on lier tremuloua lips, and Eoftly tvld her,
■ that the life which without her would lose haU' its ciiarnis, shoald b^
ftdbvoted to hor serrioe ; and that hia fortune, like hh Ixeail, should
K^ in her poaeeesioo. Trembling, while she stnigglud lo free hcrHelf
M'Jhini his amis, Amanda demanded what he meant; her manner soiiiO-
■jirhftt Hurprieed and confosed him: bat, reeoUecting that thia was tbj
■TtnoineQt fur eiplanatioo, he, thongh with half averted oje«, declared
BChis bo|>e!), hiii wishes, and inteDtiuns, Surprise, horror, and iudigna
Vijon, fur a few minnl^s overpowered Amanda; but, eaddeuly recover-
I Jng her scattered tenses, with a strength greater than she hod ever
I kefore felt, she burst from him, and attempted to rush Irum the room.
ftJLrOi-d Mortimer caught hold of her; "Whither are you going,
l^mandat" exclaimed he, affrighted bj her manner.
I. "From the basest of men," cried she, struggling I^ di3et>gage
nerself.

^ He shut the door, and forced her hack to a chair ; ho was shocked,
■■mazed, and confounded by her looks : no art could have Bssnnted
Epoch a semblance of sorrow as she now wore; no feelings, but those
^M the most delicate nature, have expressed snob emotion as she now
Fpetrayed : the enlivening bloom of her cheeks was fled, and
Bflacoeeded by a deadly paleness ; and !ier soft eyes, robbed of their
BlliHtre, were bent to the ground with the deepest expression of wo.
^^«rd Uortiner began to think he had mistaken, if not her cbaraci«r,
^^er disposition; and tlio idea of having insulted either purity or
ypenitence was like a dagger to his heart. "Oh, iny level" he
Hpclaimed, laying hia hand on her trembling one, " what do yon mean
^^ de[jarting so abruptly f"

B" "My meaning, my lord," cried she, rising, and shaking his bond
B^m bers, "is now as obvious as your own: I seek forever to quit a
B^*" who, under ihe appearance of delicate attentinn. meditated so

bafe 8 scheme ag^at me. M; credulity may have fiulded yoa
ftmii!>i.'mcnt, bnt it has afforded yon do Iriumph ; the tenderness
wliicli 1 know jou tliink, which I Ehall not deny yoii have inspired
me with, ns it was excited by iuinginnry virtaes, rd it viuiishcs with
the illusioD which gHve it birth: what then was innocent, woald
now he guilty. Oh heaven!> !" continned Amanda, clasping her bands
toother, in a snddeD agony of tears, "is it me, the hfljilf^s i;liild of
sorrow, Lord Mortimer eAight aa a victim to illiuit love I Is it the sou
of Lord Cherbiiry dpstined such a blow against the niifortnnUa
J'itzalan I"

Lord Mortimer htartod. " Fitzalan I" repeated he. " Oh I
Amanda, why did jon conceal your real name? and what am I to
infer from your having done bo?"

" What you please, my lord," cried she, " the opinion of a person
I de^piee can bo of little consequence to me. Yet," continued she,
as if suddenly recollecting herself, " thai you may have no plea for
extenuating your conduct, know that my name wna coocealed by the
desire of my father, who, involved iu nnaipectod distreiss, wished
le to adopt another, till his affairs were settled."

Im^ ■ttempted to prevent her ijnltting the apartmenr ■ lie followed
her. bowerer. frotn it, '^ What do you mean, tny loi'd," aaked she,

by coming after met"

"I niesn to bm jau ufelj bome," replied be, in a tone of proud
illeiuies*.

"And i. It Lord Uortimer," said slie, looking stoadfiully in liis
loe, "pretends to eee me aare?"

Hit suinped, struck Lin tiand violently against bis forebeod, and
laidoiined, "I seu — I sec — I am despicable in yonr eyes; but,
Amonila, ! conuot endure your reprooclies. Pnuife fur a Cay minutca,
and yoa will b'nd I uii not so desorving of them as yon imagine."

titio mode no reply, but qnickenod lier pace; within s few yards of
the cdtto^. Lord Uortinier caught her with a distracted air.
"Anionilu,'' uid be, "1 cannot boor to part with you in this manner;
fQu ihink trio Ilie veriest villain on earth; yuu tvill drive tiie Iroui
four lieurt; I sliall become abliorrent to you."

"UiHt iis4ired]y, my lord," replied she, in a solemn voice.

'*CaDiM compunction tlien extenuate my error?"

"Ti-i not c^nipunctiun, 'tis rvgret you feel, for tinding your lidaipH

" No : by oil that la saci-cd, 'tin reniarsc, for evir having meditoUd
ImkIi an injury. Yd, I iig-^iin repeat, il' you li.-'^;n to me, you will
I am not su culpable a^ yon believe. Oh I let me beseech you
to, do so: let lua lio|>« that my life may be devoted to yon alone, and
I inny thus have Uia iipponutiity of apn'.o^xing for my conduct.
Oil ! dofire*! Aniaiiila,'' kneeling before liei, '' drive me not from you
in the liour of [lenitence."

"Vou plead in vuin, my lord," cried she, breaking from him.
He Bloiteil in an agony fivm lie ground, and again seized her.
**Ia il tlius." he cietaimud, "with such unfeeling coldness I am
ibandoDed by Amanda ) I will leave yon, if yon only any I am not
letc«I«d by yon; if yim only say the roiiiembi-nnco of tlie sweet
loura we have ejtent togcllicr will not become ImtelU to yon,"

lie van pale, and truinbied; a tear wet hia cheelc. — Amanda's
legan to flow. Slie averted her head, to hide ber emotiun ; b-^t he
nd perceived it.

"You weep, my Amcnda," said he, "and you feel the inflacDri' of
HIT I"

74

'■Uo, DO," tried the, iii a time nunriMly urtioulal*. — -■

''I will noknowledge," continued she, "I bolieve yoa poawiued of
■tansibiljly; and an nnticJiintion of the painful fecting.-i U wiU exutc^
on Ihe reflection of yonr conilnct tu ine, now slops my fiirllier
rvpro^lic!). All ! my lord, timely profit by mental currection, nor
eT«r again encmrage a jioaslon, 'n-liich virtue caonut danction, ot
reason justify."

^ ffokp Ihe chtrub; nod lh( r»rt robuk*
Efvtrt Id r"il>i(<d btiutr, wiArd irtn
iDiiBclbla.

Amniidn ()arti>(1 from Lord Mortimer; nnd, entering t)ie cottagv,
Im^tily closed the door. Utt looka tcrriSed t!ie nuntc, who vas tlia
only one of Ibe faroily np, and who, by fneaoB of one of her sons, li&d
diicovered that Amanda bad taken refuge from Ilie thunderstorm in
Tudor Hall.

AinanJft had n<>iih«r hat nnr clonk on ; her faoe wa^ pule aa death;
her hair, blown by the wind and wet from the rnin, hnng disheveltw]
about her ; and to tlie inquiries of the nnrse, could only Gnawer by
tohf mill leni-^. " l-ickalny," said tlic nurse, ''what aibi my em el

75

n of virtue: itelicocf sbrinking froiii one, timne<liBt«ly aniioiuie9<l

t danger; hut ioiiocunre i[i:)])ired conDdonce in the other; and

Mlulitr, iiiBicftd of suspicioD, occupied the mind. Aiq I OiMined lo

« rictim of deception? end, eieept thy honest, tender heart, my

I every other franght with deceit and troacliery to met

tk the early Heason of youlh, perpetual jwrfirty makes us

' rdiuqisL eandour and hojie, whnt dieriuB cau Ilie world rulaint

The Kiul, Bjukeniug, recoils within itaelf, and no longer atartles at

dissolation. Bdgravc ninied ut my peace — But Mortimer alune had

fower to pierce the 'vital, vulni<rab!c heart.' Oh! Mortimer, from

1 aluue the hlon* ie severe — yon, who In divine language I may

r, Wert my guide, my companion, and my familiar friend."

* Lord Uortituer was now a prey to atl the pangs which an inirannuns

ind, oppressed with a coii!>eioii»neB9 of error, must ever feel; the

it inipiarable vcugeaoec could not dcvi^ a gn-ater pnniahment for

I than Ilia own thoughts inflicted; Ihe empire of inordinate

Kion was orerthrown, and honour and reason regained their full

d natural ascendency over him. Wlieii he reSected on the anifonn

earance of innocence Amanda had always worn, he wondered at

OS in over having doubted its reality; at his audacity, in

r having inanlled it; when he reflected on her melancholy, hs

thnddered, aa if having aggravated it

"Yoor sorrows, as well as purity, ray Amanda," he cried, "ahonld

c rendered you a saoreil object to me,"

' A ray of consoktion darte<l into liia mind, at the idea of prevwling

B her to listen to the circumstances which bad led him into a coo-

o anworthy of her and himself, snch an explanation, he trusted,

d regain her love and confidence, and make her accept what he

it immediately to ofier — Ida hand: for pride and ambition could

3 obstacle to oppose this denign of reparation; his happineaa

ed on its being accepted. Amanda was dearer to him than

d hope eonld eketcli no prospect, in which site was not tlie

!t object. Impetuous in bis passions, the lapse of the honm

IS inauppitrtftbly tedious; and the idea of wiuting till the morning

« hid penitence, his intention, and ngnin, implore ber forgive-

I, fiUed him with agony : lie went up to the cottage, and laid his

d Dpon the latch; he hesitated; eren from the rustics he wished

9 concml his ahiime .ini! conAteion. All within ami with< ut tiM

76

cottage was Rtill; the rnoon-bmms Beamed la deep apon tLe thatoh,
anil the treei U'eru imagitated by s breeze.

"liappy rustics," eiclairaeil Lord Martimer. — "ChilUrdu of con-
tent, and undeviating intepity, sleep presses sweetly on your eyel'tdi.
My Amanda too rests, fur abe is innocent." Jle descended to tlie
valley, and saw a lijjht from lier window ; he advanced wilbin a fuw
yards of il, and saw Jiei plainly walk about with an agitated air —
her liandLercbief raised to licr eyes, as if she wept. Wis feelings rose
alinoKt to frenzy at Ihia siglit, and he execrated himself fur being the
(lecanion of her tears. Tlie village clock struck one. Good heavens,
liow many honrs must intervene ere lie could kneel before the lovely
mourner, implore her soft voice to accord his pardon, and (as hA
flatt«red hiiuself would be the caee) io the fidness of reconciliation,
press her to bis throbbing heart, as the sweet partner of his future
days! The light was at last ertinguiahed : but he could not rest, and
continued lo ivamier aboat like a perturhwl spirit, till the day bigan
to dawn, and he saw some early peasants coming to their labors.

klone oongeiiial lu her feelings, Illtbrrto the morning hai'
[latictitl^ expected ; fur with Mortiujcr i>lis enjoyed iu

" Cwl. Ill fntTUil. ud IU lUent hour "

But no Mortimer was now ilesired. In the evening lie r
annthcr ailenipt, and, liriJiiig Hlen alone, sent iu ft su[ip!icaturj
inessnj,*e by her to Aiiian<)a. Slie was jost risen, and Mrs. Edwin
luuking tea t'ur her: a flush of indigmfflon ovurspread her pale fao«^
on receiving his moasage. "Toll hiin," saiJ she, I nm natonished at
liis reiiitiHt, and never will grant it. Let him seek ebowbere a heart
more like his own, ami trouble my repose no more.

lie heard her words, and in a fit of pa^ion ond disappointment
dew out of the house. Iloweil entered auon aller, and heard from
Elleu ftu account of the quarrel ; a secret ho[)e sprung in Lis heart at
Ihii intelligence, and lie desired Ellen to meet him in about half k
hour In the valley, thinking by that time Le could dictate some met*
sag« to send by her to Anianda.

Ab tlie parson bad never paid Mias Fitznian any of those Bttenliooi
which strike a vnlfiar eye, and had often laughed and fiuniliarly chat-
with Ellen, she took it into iier head lie wn^ on adniirer of hersj and
if heing the otject of Chip's admiration excited the envy of her neigb-
boon, how much would that increase when the parson's predilection
was known. 61ie wt akunt adorning herself for her appointment;
nnd while Iliii> CNipliiyeil. the lioneai, faithful Chip entered, attired is
bit holiday cloihea to efcort her to a little dnncc. Ellen bridled up at
the first iiilimntion of it; and, delighted with the meessigo Amondjk
bad sent to Lord Moitimer, which in her opinion was extremely d(H
qneiit, she resolved now to imitate it.

"Timuihy," mid she, drawiitg hock ber heail, yonr re([ue«t ti
the raiMt imi'miierest that enn be oonoeived, and it is by no Dieauj
conretilent fur tne lo adhere to it. I tell yon, Tini," cri«d she, waviiMi
the comer of her white apron, for while band kerchief she bad not. *
wonder at your preaomptionnera in making it; cease your tlatierlu
esprewions of love ; look out amongst the Inferiority for a heart men
like yiinr 'iwn : and trouble my pleasure no more."

Cliip pntisod for a moment, as if wantinfr to roinpreliend her nieail'
inif. 'TheBhort nnd the long of it then. Nell." snid he, '■is, tlutt y«|
■nd 1 are tr, have n-tliing more to say to each other."

78 OUlLbHIF Q W IBB AIBKT.

'■'Tnic,' cried Iiia coquettisb mis'.Tera.

"Well, well, Nell," said lie, half crjing, "Ihe time may conie, «L«i
you will repent ever having serred a Iroe-hearted lad in this uuuuier."
So .uj-iDg he run from the house.

Ellen survejed herself with great admiration, and expected nothing
haa J:an tlie iiaitiediale oSer of the psi»on'« hand. She found liiiu
p'jnclu.tl to his apiKiintmcnt, and oAer walking bome time nliont the
Tulley, the; sat down together npon a little banL '"Ellen," aaid lie,
rnking her hand, "do jou tliink there is any hope for me?"

" Nay, now, intced, Mr. ITowell," cried iihe, with affected coyneui
"that is such a strange question."

" Bnt tho quarrel pcrhups," said he, " may be toade np,"

" No, I assure yon," replied she witli quiiJcness, " it was entirely oa
jonr account that it ever took place."

"Is it possible 1" exclaimed he, pleasnro sparkling in hiii eyos,
" then I inny renrge my passion."

"Ah t«ttr now, Mr. Unwell, you ore so very (iresEing."

"Do yon thint," asked he, "she ia to ill to »ee me!"

eoDtoliiig Lei><]I[' wit)i llie uid sajiiig, of bnvint; muro Uiun one ilt'iog
n hfr bow ; and tliuC if Cliip wmi iiiit Hi gentev!, he was ijmle t»
J>ersoiiabI« a man as t!ie curulc. Walking duwn the lone eKd uinl
a liiUe boy, wh.. gave her a letter from Ohiii. Full of tbo iicn of iis
containing eome overturei uf reconciliation, t>he hn^tily broko it ojicn,
•nd read to the following elfuct :

riius aid lh« vanity uf Kll.!n rL>c«ive a ^i^-tMly |miii»limui.t. Uof
)4Wrus fur boiuo ilnys whb anubated, bnt at Inst yielded ti) It.e mi!d
I ' argaiuents of Amanda, and llic hopes nhe iuspired of seeing the wan-
dpring hero agnin.

Uowell at IflHt i>tilninvd an intervii-w, and vcnturtid to gileiid liii
pfiRiion, Ainanda tbankvd him fur bis regard, but declared iier ina-
iHliiy of returning it an be wifihed ; assoriug him, howevci*, nt the

I. same time, of bersini^re frieudsbip.
Tbia, then, shall liut&ee," said b«. "Xeithcr Borrow o<ir dJMippoint-
meat are new lo me ; and when tbey oppress me, I w[ll tiU'n to th*
Idea of my angL-1 friend, and forgvt (for some momcnbi at least) my
'* lieavy barthen."
Lonl Mortiiiicr made several attempts fur again si-i'ing Amanda,
* hot withoot succcwa ; be llien wrote, but his lettei"!! were not mora
■UGoe«-t\il. In de'puir of finding neither letters nor luussagefl
ft-iewiviHl by Amanda, he nt last, by siratat^u, elfeetMl on iiiUrview ;
• meeting one of the young Eilwinji returning from the puHt-tuwn with
» letter, be imguiriil, and huai'd it it was for ^\>m. Ftlzulan ; a little
> iferxiiaHiiui jirrt-iiile<l »n the young man lo relimjiiJHh il, and I.unl
i Uortinier 8uw dircelly tu tlic oottagc— " Now," criej be, '■ tlie inex-
orable gjrl must appear, if she wii^bes to recdve her letter." The
anrse iciiinned Amanda of it ; but i>he, suspecting it to bo a scheme.
ralitTCil to nppmr. " Thdce<l, I do net deceive lier," exclninieil I^rU
^v 'Morlitner, " nor will I eive Ibc letter into any hands but hoi?"
^h* " Ttuj, my lor'l,'' fniil Aiir.imln, rnming frnm her clinuvl";t, '' v»

so GHiLUHifa on lUk Aimer.

TQoil; crael ; but g;ive lug the lol[«r," iinpAtientl^ stretcliing ont licr
liiind fur it.

" Auuther condition renidiw to he oonipllei) «ith," (.•riwl iio, seiz-
ing lier soft hand, which she, however, inataoUy withdi-ew, "you
roast rend it. Miss Fit«Uan, in mj jireaence."

" Good henTens I how yon torment me I" she eiclaimod.

" Do jou comply, tben ?"

" Yes," she replied, ond received the letter from liim.

The pitj and cumpunctioD of Lia JLirdahip iocrerisod, as he gnanli'D
her pnle face, while her eyoa eagerly ran over the contents of a letter,
which WAS as follows :

CMILDlir. S or THE AUBEV, 81

tatT Miiglit licr liand. '■ Tliink not," criwJ lie, " 1 will lose Uie present
opjMirtuiiity (H'liicli I huvu go Inng doaired, and with sitc-ti ilillicult^
obt«ncd) of unieriti^' Into u viiidiailion of my ctmdact : liowover it
may be received by yviu, it is ti jiiatii* I owu my own cliai'ncler li
niAke ; for as I never wilfully injured innocuiicc, so I cBiinot buar I
lie oonaidereil its violutor. Aiiddot the wilditets, the citrava^aQCO of
yoDth, wlkiuli witli compunction I ouknowleilf^ being tuti uitun led
into, my heert Btill acquitted mo of ever committing nu net which
could entail upon mo the p.tngs of conscience. Sacred to me
virtue ever been, how lowly soever in flitnation,''

The idea of his being able to vindicate himself scarculy ulTorded
leas jileosure to Amanda, than it did to Lord Mortimer. She suirnred

a to reseut her, while he related the dreiimiilances which had led_
tiira aatray in hiii opinion of her. Oli ! how fervent was the ruptura
lliat pervaded Amanda's heart when, as fihe listened to him, i'
fonnd he was Btill the amiable, the nollle, the generous oharatter lier,
fancy had first ctinccired him to be! Tears of |duaaiire, a^ exqiii^
as th-nc she hud lately shed, again fell from her ; for oh 1 n bat delight
U there in knowing, that an oljject we cannot help loving n e muj .

1 esteem I " Thus," cootinoed Lord Mortimer, " I have ntcuuntod '
fur niy error ; an error which, except ou account of your displcosura, -'
I Ilhua not whether T should regret ^ a» it boa convinced me, n
forcibly than any other eironmstjuice could have done, of the perfec-*'
tions of j'our mind; and lias, besides, removed fhim mine, prcjudicei*''
which, not without cause, 1 entertained against your sex. T
every wcunsji in a tlmiliar (.ituatlon to act like you,

I cat! you mine iij the hei|;hl of my u ishes : on yonr dociait
T liappint»9. 01 my Amaudn, \vt it be a favoiiralile decision,
■nd siUfer me to write to Mr. Httaliin, ami re>iueiit him tu be.->luw on
ne llie greatest pleasure one being can poMibly receive from anutheff
I woman lovely, and educated as you have been."

When lie menlioned appealing to her father, Amanda could n
linger ihiubt iJie sincerity oi his Inlenlluns. Tier own heart plemlod
>■ jiowvrfnlly as hii Holicitniions did fur panloning him ; nnd if nha
V elicr.d lier hHiiiI, shi- lit \vntl sutl'.-rwl \\. Vi\K VJwva,

Vtthout aaj reliictoQce.
pnaiiDg Ltr t

'I Euii furyivea then," tiiud Lonl MortiiDei,
I boaoiQ. " Oh, my Amanda, jean of Undel
tttWltion COQ never moke nj> for Diis gooUnoss."

Wbon Lis truiLsjiarU were u little abttlod, he tajUted on vrrittng
InnUMliati-ly to Fitxaluu : as ha sealed the letter, he told Aniauda ba
hftd reqae£l«d on expeclitiona answer. The hapjiioess of the joutUfu]
I)l4f «-iis commmiicoted to the honest mstici', ivhom lord Mortimer
!)i>frAlly rewarded for their fidelity to his Amandii, oiid whom she
nflfdily excused for their ombiguooB expressions to him, knowing Ibey
jirooeeded from simgilicity of heart, and a with of serving licr, yet
wltliout injuring thetnaelves, by betraying the manner io whicli tbey
procured inlelligence of her siloatioD.

The day after the reconciliation, Lord Mortimer told Amanda ho
WU compelled fur a short time to leave her ; with what rdiielujice,
h* Iioped, bho could easily perceive; but the visit he bad come iiitti
Wales for the purpose of paying, hod been so long deferred, hia friend
WW growing impatient, and threatened to come to Tndor Hall to see
what detained him there. To prevent such a measure, which he
Idiew M'uuld be u tolul inteiTuplion to the iiappinctis he eiiJoyt-U in her

n«Iual Such were Amnnda'B antiuipations of what alie termed th«
blcFdo^n of aa affluent fortooo: felicity, iu her opinion, wa» to bs
(liffiisei! lo be eiijovod. Of Lord Cherliury's sanction to tlie attach-
ment of his son, aho entertained not a doubt; her birtli was littla
iitfrrior to lii», and fortune was entJrelj out of the question; for ft
liltvrMl nviud, I'lie tliouglii, could neror Iwik to tlmt, when on one aids
was already possecsed more than sufficient for even tlie luxuries of
:il'e. Such were the ideaa of Ihe innocent asd romantic Araonila;
ideas, which made her seem to tread on air, and whicli slie entertained
. (ill aubaoixueDt azperienco couriuced her of their fallacy.

CHAPTER XX.

Bf tiflnf up hli couDHla I

A VA.vDA was flitting in the recess in the (;ardeit, the fourth tr'
of Lord Mortimer's absenoe, when huddenly she henrd the rattling of
a carriage ; ber heiirt bounded, and she flew into the houoe ; n
very mumciit a chaise stopped at the door, from which, to her
presaible amaxemeut, her father descended.

TraottGied to the spot, it waa many miuutes ere ahe had power t9
bid him welcome, or return the fond careopcs he bestowed upnn lieh
"I am come, Amanda," said be, eagerly interrupting the joyAd
(peecbee of the Edwins, " lo take you nwuy with me ; and one
is all I can give you to prepare yourself^"

"Oi>od Heaven 1" said Amanda, starting, "to take me away ii
dialely ? "

■■ Immediately." lie repealed, " and as I know jou are attached ti
Ihia gijod girl," (turning to Ellen,] '■ I shall be happy, if her parenti
|>ermit. W procure her attendance for you."

The Edwins, who would have followed themselves, or allow«^ ii.
of lliuir family to (uUuw FitiaUii and his daughter lound the worli^

RB5 OP TUB

glxL^ Dtniseiited to her going; Bud tLu girl, exc)Dsiv« of her atUiA-

ta«nt U> AmoQila, which was very g3*ost, liaviug piuod «rer einoe hM
bver'ii departure, rqoicod at the iJea of a diange of scene.

Not so Amanda; it raado her autTer ngonv ; to be lorn from Lonl
Mortimer in tlie hour of reconciliation find expliuiation, wm niurt
than HJie ooold snpport with furtiti'.de. Her Cither, perliaps, liiul not
received hU1eIt«r; but it wai but jrtstice then tohiinand Lord Mnrti-
nicr to reveal her situation. She !-sft lior trunk lialf-pncked, and wont
out for tliut por^ioM; but its aha titood before liiin with quivering lipa
and liutf-a verted eves, at a kws to begin, he took her hood, and joftl^
ejiclairned, "Hy lore, let as for the ]irei«t;ut wave every snlyect ; th«
innmentfl are precious, Ikasten to put on your habit, or we shall bt
loo lale at the stnge where I*proi)08e resting lo night." Anuuda
turned in silence to her cliaml>er lo comply with the desire; teon
no down her cheeks, and fur the first time she conoeivetl the idea of
being harried away to avoid Lord Uortiiner; but why, she could not
think. Honour m well as t«ndernca», she thought, demanded ber
acquainting hiai with the cause of her precipitate Journey : bnt wlien
she took np a pen for tliat pnqjo^c, her hand was unsteady, and she

I tiot (he inii>r«»iiona they left upon tlieir mind were n.jt so pwily

endieutnl. FiUalan was the flnt U> break Uie unsocial silence, and

it seeiaed is if he did ih> for the purpose ot' roasing the d^ectiun of

, his daughter. A croM roitd tsom the cottage eltortlj brought theni

to CoQwaj ferr7, wliicti they vera utilifp^ to paaa, and here, had

Amnnda's mind been at etse, bhe would have felt trulf grutiSed by

viewing tlie remains of gutbio niitgni licence which Cnstla Conway

eihibit{>d; as it wad, she could nut 1>ebold tliem UDinoved, and, whilst

the admired, she gave the passing tribute of a sigh to grandeur and

I decny. They only continued in Conway till a carriage was provided

fur them, and soon came beneath tho stupendoad projections of

Penmaenniawr : tliia was a scene as new aa awful to Amanda.

•* Well, Cot in heaven plesa their soulu," Ellen said, " what a tefll of

% way they should he in if one of them huge stones rolled down

Upon the carriage." They stopped not again till tbey reached Bangor

Tbrry, where they were to rest for the niglit. Amanda's slrengtb and

I cpirilB were now bo entirely exlionsted, that hod not a gloss of wine

I been immediately procured her, she would have fitinted from wenk-

i nebs; ibisalitllo revived her, and the tears she shed relieved in some

degree The oppressions of her heart; her father left her and Ellen

together, while he went to give directions about the journey of th»

Risning day.

Amanda went to the window and threw np the eash; the air

' from the monntalns she ihooght refreshed her; the darkneas of the '

hour was opposed by a bright moon, uHiich coat a trembling radiiuic«
I upon the water, lind by its partial gleams exhibited a beantiful scene
I of light and shade, that, hnd Amanda bncn in another frame of tnind,
I the woold infinitely have admired ; the scene too was almost as silent
I u it was lovely, for no voice was heard, except a low murmur from
I TTNces below Mairs. While she stood licre in a deeg) reverie, the pad-
f .Siuig ufooni suddenly roused her, and she beheld a boat on tho oppo-
t ,rile shore, which in a few minutes gained the one where she was,
I "and alio saw coming from it to the inn a large party of gentlemen,
I vhosc air and attendants announce<l them to be men of fashion ; they
I KCtned by their discourse to be a convivial party; tho light was ton
I dim bf aQow their faces to be discerned, but in the flgure of one^
I Amanda thought slie perceived a strong resemblance to I«rd Morti-
I ln»r: her hem I throbbed i siie leaned forward to endeavour to diitin-

OF rus

giilsh COIF plainlj-, and ftt the momont heartl his well Icdowd voice

urJering hi* groom to have Uie hore«9 resilj at twelra o'clock, ns be
wonU Cuke the ailTnntago ofsnch fine weatlter to set off at Uiat honr
for TuJor lliill. The partj were tlicn iiihe-reil into a nxnn coutiguons
to the oue occupied b; Amanda, wlilk ihe bustling of tlie waiters, and
llie claltering of knivtia, forts, and plates, announced Ihe preparations
tor a late diunrr. Oh! what were now the a^tatiotu of Amanda, to
tliiuk tliat in one iiiomenl she could infnrtu Lord Mortimer of ber
I but the transport the ideii gave was relinqnUbed almoat
s r';lt, as such a measure she tliouglit might perhaps for ever
disoblige her father. In (his tumult of doubt and perplexity bo foniul
her, and by hia condact conrinced her that be not only know of Lord
Mortimer's being in the house, but wished her ti) avoid him, for h&
iiutantly led her fi-om the window, and, shutting it down, darted, for
the tirst time in bis life, a severe frown at her: adagger in tbebreaat
of Amanda coald ecarcelj have given her itiore pain ; a cold horror
ran tlirouj^h her reins, and she was oppressed by as nmnj fears as if
the had been conscious of ofTemling him. Tlio supper he had ordered
wiLS a lillle retankd by the late dinner of his gny neighbours; he

87

f, ia tlie n>«y Oougliitr ft some ixmr curate in this \-iciuitj-, nho

— "Bewniv," int«rrit)jtvd Lurd Murlimer, in an agitated Toictt

j-ou soy ; givu me no reason tu repent having introiliioed a

fl so voliieil iutii tliin coingiaDy ; tbe Eitnation of Miss Fitxalan U

. eiaotl; wluit you siipptise ; but let this auffloe for you, to kuow it

9 Muiirue her froiu every species of impertinence ; anil was

"ss protected, her own elegance and propriety would elevate

IT above receiving any." Tlie face of Fitzalun during tliis oonver-

ja was crimsoned over, and lie ngain darted a frown at the trem-

g Amanda, wliich ohiiost petrified tier ; he tolil bcr tiiat she and

must retire immetliately to rest, as they had a long joiimej

e them the ensuing day, which would require Ilieir rising early.

^Amanda for tlie tirtl time in hec life wished to bo relieved from his

iwnce, and gladly rose to obey bim: he attended her himself to

-iHim prepui'cd for bur, whicli was directly over that where the

leiiieii sat: to think of rest was icnpossihle; the severity of her

jr's looks, and her prccipitolo journey — die know not wliilher

It evidently for the iiiirjiofH] of avoiding Lord Mortimer, filled tb«

koughts uf Amanda wiUi uonl'uaion and distre^. Ellen essayed art

m consulation.

" Whal t)ie tefd do yon think," said she, "if I was to go down and
e bisi lordii1ii|i an intima^ou of your peing here ! You could easily
t see him in the garden, or else we could [>ring him up here,
I if tlie cni>tiiin surprised ns, we coold pop liim in a moment
Iliad tlio curtain." Amanda motioned her to silence, unwilling to
> the tmiallecil eound of Lord Mortimer's voice, and determined,
s as the was to tee biju, never to act in opposition b) her
At length the burned were led from the stable, and the con-
inal pnrty descended lo them. Amanda softly nusod the window,
d eaw Lord Mi>rliiiicr eagerly vault npon the saddle. lie gave a
isty adiea to hix fi'iuiids and gnlloped olF. They mounted at the
, but IiHik a contrary direction. Aman4a leaned ont till
no loiiirer hear the clattering of (he horso'a hua&; her
; Us the sound died upon her ear; she wept ns nlie retired
a tlie window ; tlie idea of Mortimer's disappomtiueni aggravuieu
' grief; she no longer o|>[K»cd Ellen's cSurls to undress her;
liiiuiud by fatigue, sleep soon closed her eyee, and tier fancy agaia
innporied her lo Tudor Hall, nnd Moriiiner.

M CH-Li. KBS OV IHB ABUir.

B) Uie first iIhwii of iky a kiii>r.t al Iier uliiiniber door ronsod her
froiQ Ihh pk-ONing illusion, and she lioard lier fatlier desiring her tf.
rise imniediatelj ; drowsy as ithe ws.", ohe instantly ubBved lh»
Hiimtnons, and awaking Ellen, they were rcaJj to att«ud biiii in ^
few miotites ; a boat wiw alr«ady prepared, and on gaining the oppt-
•its aide they fonnd a carriage in waiting;. I>ny was non- just dawn-
ing; a (p-ay mist enveloped the laountwnB, and cast a ahaile of
obscurity npon all the inferior objects; at length the atmo^phertt
began to brighten : the Incid clouds in the ^aat were tinged w^ith
golden radiance, and the sun in beantifid and ret^ilgent in^«$ty arose,
gladdening the face of nature with his poUnt beams; the trees, the
ihmbii, seemed waving their dewy heads, in sign of grateful hom^ifra,
while thw" winged inliabitanl«, as they soared in the air, poured
forth the softest notes of melody, Amanda, in spite of »sdnoBs, beheld
the charming scene with admiralion, aiid Fitialon onntcmplated It
with delight. "All nature," be exclaimed, "points out to man the
gratitude doe to the dirino Dispenser of good ; hnrdeneil must that
heart be against tlie feelings of sensibility, which the lianiiony and
froj^nce of tliia early hour awakens not to a perfect sense of it.'"

s*

rw to b« dune ; his lardsliip soon farincd a iilan lliat at once
J uio witli gratiiade aiid pleiwure, as it prouii^d ine cum-
I, without del 'living '"* '>f independence: this wna to accc-pt
Hf it^'uc.v (if n coDiiidfrablc uitiite in tlie norlli uf Iri'lanil, wW.Ai h«
I ID riglit of liiv wifv, the kte Countess uf Clii^rbiirj', viha
u liisll beireaa: he proposed my residing in Uie lucmaion imusc,
uaAuring to advance a sam sufiicieul to answer all deiuands and exi-
gviiciCB; and atriving to lighlun tl)e obligfttiifiu lia conferred upon me,
Lij deuiuring he liad long been seekiag a msn of irell-linawn probity,
M Ida liist agent liad gone off considerably in nrreara with liim. I
accepted ]ii» generous offer, and soon ft'ced myself from the power of
Bdgrave. 1 now felt a tranquillity I was long ft stranger to, and was
bmied in preparing to come down to yon, when Lord Mortimer's
latter, like a clap of thander, broke the liB[>py colin I hod eigoyed.
Gracions Heaven ! I shuddered to think that at the very period Lord
Clierbury woa building np :ny fortunes, the hopes he enteruuiied for
' Ids dnrling soil were in a wny of being deatroyed, through means of
a connexion of mine. lie hod liiul«d to me his having already
settled upon a splendid alliance fur Lord Munimer, wliicli lie also
hintod his heart was set on: this the infatuated yonng man hod tiim-
S(4f some knowledge of, for In bis rash letter lie entreated my secrecy
relative to his proposal for yon, till beyond the reach of inorluls to
separate you. No doubt he would never have asked uiy consent, hod
he Ihooglit he could have procured you witliout it; he took me, 1
suppose, for some needy and ainliitions creature, wlio would, tltough
at tlie eiipease of integiity, grasp at the opportunity of elevating a
child to rank and fortune; bnt never was an erring 11101101 more mis-
taken ; though dearer to uie than tlie air 1 breatlie, though the
lovely child of my lost Molvina, though a cherub whose inuoocnt
ecdotnncnts utlen raised in me, as I'nispero says —

SI woidd rather see you breathless at my fw;l. tiian, hy consoioxu nnd
apparent meanne^, daaerve luid incur itie iiudevolence of calumny.
1 committed tlie letter to the flames, and reque«tml Lord Cherbiry's
Unal commands; being desirous to commence my journey without
y. u yonr delicate ftAtc of health, I said, mada ae aniioai

to hava you itnmedlately uudor m; ohu cure; lie complied with mj
rei)uest, and I travelled post, resulved to separate you and Lord Mor-
timer, even if prepared for the altar ; aur wa.t I alone actuated tJ tlLs
by gratitude lo Lord Cherbnry, or cunsideratioti for my own hcnour
— no, with theoe, a regard for joar peace eijnally inQnonceil me; a
■oul of sensibility and refinement like jours could never, I knov, ba
liftpi'y if treftl«d with repuklvo coldaesa by tha family of her
hiiabund ; partleiilarly if her conscieoce tuld her she merited that
coldueas by entering it clandestinely. Could I bear to Chink that
villi, so lovely in [)erA>n, so amiable in luiuinerB, bo illaslrioiiB in
>lL'M.'eiit, $li(>ii]d ba cidled an artful and neoeniiitoiu contriver; an
Imputation whioh, most undonbtedjy, your iimun with Lord Morti-
mer would have incurreil. No I to the Goil who gave you to my
Cflrc, I holil inyftelf reapondiblc, as fur as iu my [inwcr, for proaerviug
your jfeacc; to Hie niotlier, whose last words implored my tender-
ness fur ber ofi^prinp| I hold myself Bc<»>un table ; to ina ahS'ttiU
existK; I think her ever near, and ere I net, always reflect whether
I would incut her apjmibalion: such is the rteport

OaiLUUIt.l or Il(> ABDBT ffl

l^tnre; she started np and flang horself intu his anns. "Dearest, bedt
■a," she eiclaimed, in a voioe broken bj subs, " whftC is all the
nio ID compiriaoD'jf ytiu? Khnll I put Lord Mortiiiier, bu
[*l»tely a stranger, in oom]>elilion with jour happiness? Oh, nol I
l»iriU hanceforth try to regulate every impulse of my heart according
Into jonrwiKhee." Fitzolan bunt iDto Icara; the eatliusjasm uf rirtuu
d ihorn U>tli : hallowed are her raptures, and amply do tlusy
lenwj the puia attendant on her saorifices.
iJinaer was brought in, to which they xat down \a their osnal
uiuer, and Amauda, Lappy in her father's smiles, felt a ray
^ rettimiag cheerfuloess. Tlie evening was delightftdly serere
1 they went on hoard, and the vesM'l, with a gentle motion,
d over tJie the gltteritig waves ; sickness soon compelled Amanda
I Ellon to retire from tlie deck ; yet, without a sigh, the former
t rclinqnieh the receding prospect of the Welch mountains.
y the dawn of next, morning the vessel entered tlie buy of Dublin,
I Fitznlan shortly after brought Ainanda from the cabin to con-
a scene which fur surpassed all her ideas of suhliinlty and
1 ^ene which tlje rising sun soon heightened to the moat
lowing radiance. They landed at theMariue Hotel, whi'.'elhey break
hsled, and then proceeded in a carriage to an hotel m Oapel-street,
c they pro|iosed slaying a few dayn, for the porpose of enjoying
r's company, whose regiment was quartered in Dablin. and
ng »ome requisite purchases for their jonmey to the north: as
« carriage drove down Capcl-streel, Aniimda auw a young oftiuer
jiding at the comer of Mary's Abbey, whose air very much
rubied Oaenr's : her heart palpitated ; she looked otit and per-
iled the reiseiiiblanee a joat one, for it wiw Oscar himself; the car-
> poswd too swiftly for bim to rec<ignize her fiice, but he iru
Mtoiiished to see a fair hand waving to him ; he walked ilawa tht
Pet, and reached the hotel Just as they were entering i*.

Tin rnptares of Uiis nu^eting Burp.issed ilencriplion ; to 0»car UiPJ
were lieiglitcned bv anrprise; ha veax, iinfi>rtiiniUel7, tlint day on
gnaril at tlie bank, therefore, cnnlil only pny them a few slmil. and
stolen TiAit!>, bat Ibe next muming the moment he vat relieved. )ia
came lo thein. FitMlsn had given Anuinda inoney to ptirohw*
■whatever whe deemtii neoeiisary for lier ■■onvenicnce and aiiiiue-
nieiil, nnil Ostwr nttendi'd Iier In the most cvlebrateil shops, to iiiitka
hri- [luri'liAsex ; having snpplied lier^elf with a pretty fuhionaiila
n-'siirtiiient fur her wardrobe, sh« procured a aiiudl culttiction of books,
siiffloicnt, liowever, fhnn tlieir cscelleiipo, to form a liiile libniry in
tlirmcelves, and every reijnisile fur dniwinp ; nor did she forjtet the

U3

I lie hnd anfortunately perceir©*] it) that it was not derircd

iiiiprudcuce ; lie preleuded to nay it A'aa but a sliglit cliuf^iiii,

'liich would aoon n-ear away of itseif if not renewed by inquiries.

iUalan, bon'orer, was loo much atTectcd bj tlie subject to drop it m

ilj as Oscai' wiBlieil. After regarding lum for a few niiiiuics,

aa attention as tnonrnfui a^ fixed (wliile they sat round tlic tnblii

dinner), he suddenly exclaimed, "Alas, my dear boy. 1 lunr

s are worse within, than yon will allow," " Now indeed, ft*car."

led Amanda, sweetly guiiling on him, aniiotis to relieve liirii I'ruiu

Uic enibarrassnient thefie words lind involved liim in, and to dissi|>aie

the d(e|i gluuni of her father's brow, " though never in the wura, I

I'atipy you are not quite heart whole." Ho answered her witli an

■ft'ected gaiety ; but, as if wishing to ohunge the discourse, suddenly

,^oke of Colonel Beigrave, who, at present, tie said, was nbsent IVuin

tht regiment ; occupied by lii* own feeling, lie observed iic)t ihe glow

.'irliicli mantled tlie ctieeks of his father and tester at tlint name.

*" You know Ura. Belgrave," said Amanda, endeavouring to regiiiii
■Bdnipoaure. " Know her 1" repaied lie, with an inviilnniary aijtii,
"flh yeitl" Then atler the pniije of a few ininiiles, luriiiug to hia
filtlier, " I believe I have ah'eady Informed yon, air," said he, " ll.nl
the daughter of yonr brave old friend. General IloncywiMid,
[ Bs^re yon, paid ine no little 'attention on your account; li!»
is qnite the temple of hospitality ; and she the little presiding
gmldew." "She is happy, I hope," said Amanda. "Oil, surely!"
replied Oscar, little thinking of the secret motive liis sister had for
■eking sneh a question; "she possesses what the world thiu^i
XtMory to constitute felicity."

Fit&dan had accounted lo Iiis son fbr leaving Devonshire, by raying

■jQle air had disagreed with Amanda : he tolil him of tlie fdcnd^Jiip of

lord Clierbury, from which he said he irusted thorily to bo al)k' to

lave hiin promoted. "He assured, my dear Oscar, moat williiijjly

wonid I reliiiquisii numy of the cuiuforts of hfe to attain Ihe ability

lastoning your advancement, or adding to your happiueoB." " My

Oscar mournfully re]ieate<l. Tears filled his eyes; lie

lid no longer rest-ain ihem, and starting up, hurried to a window,

landn Rillowed, unutterably aflected at his emotion. " Ot^oar, iiiy

O^car," (aid ahc, as i>!te ftung her amis round his neck, "yoo

me bfyond eipresoon." Ua tat down, and ko&ing \i\a\>«tA

04

ipoD her bo!M>ni, as sbe stood Lerore him, his teora fisit Uinragh bv
hoiidkerciiii-f. " Oh heavens!" exct^med FlttaJan. cloapiag hia IibihIb
Logetber, " what n sight is Uiis I Oh ! mj cliildreD, from juai fvlieitf
alone could I ever derive anj ; if the hope I entertained of that
ilisap[HiJnte4], the lietut which chorrshed it must soon l<e
wlcnt." He arose and went to them. " Yet," conUnncd be, "amidst
the augiiisli uf lliis moment, I led a ray oT pleasure at iierceivlug an
affection so strong and icndur between yon ; it -will bo a mutual
eonaolalion and snpport when tbe feeble help and protection I can
give is finallj' reuiored ; oh t then, my Oscar," he proceeded, wliile ha
folded their Qnil«d haiid-i in ]iU, " bemme tiie soothing friend and
guardian of this dear, tJiia amiable, this too lovely girl : let her not
00 severely feel — too bitterly nionm— the loss of an unhappy father."
Amanda's tears began to stream, and Oscar's for a few nilnnte:'
rere increased. " ExcuM' nie,'' at last he ^aid, making an effort tc
lert hiinscir, to his bther, '' and he assured to the ntinost of my
.bihty 1 will ever obey your wishes, and fnlfil your eipectations ; I
ashamed of the weakness I have lietraved ; I will yield to it r
lierefiire vour haviiLa see

Th« neit day was devuleJ lo visiting Ihe public buiWiiigi, ths

K^ark, and a few of th« most beat;Iiful \ila/xa in its vicinnge. On tho

KtBaning niai-niiig Fltzalao and Amanda oontititied their Jonrnej to

north, wbero Oscar o^ured Ihein he expected leave to visit them

« following samiuer, after the reviews were over; as be helped his

o the carriofK', she pat a pocket-boiik into bis hand (given by

IT fatlifr for tbat purpose,) which contftiiied somctbiTig to replenisli

e attend the travellers, or rather while they are jonrncying
e shall euJeavoar to account for the d^Mtion of Oscar.

CHAPTER XI.

Not ibuDrt ihtj ruM'j (

I

I Oboab'b regiment, on Lis first joining it in Ireland, vos qnarlcrcd
BEnniskelkn: the corps wm agreeable, and the inbahitants of the
DspiCable and polit«. lie felt al! Ihe delight of ayonng and
IBtvrprisi iig mind, entering to what appeared to him, the rond tc
lory and pleasure. Many of his idle momitsgs were spent in
tnUing abont the conntry, sometimes Hcconipnninl by S pnrly of
I, and aometiroes alone.
. In on« <>f his solitary excnrsions along Ihe benntifiil banks of
iMigb Erne, with a light fuse« on his shonlder, ij» the woods, that
t d«acended to the edge of the water, abounded in game, aft«r
ocpeding a few mil(^s, be felt qnile ealjansted hy the heat, which,
low llie ntiudle of auminer, was intense ; at a little distanc*
« perireivcd an cirrbard, whose glowing apples prondsei] a dclighlfu)
fapMl; knowing iliat lh« fruit in many of Ihe n^ighhriuring phiCM

»0

was kept for sale, he resolved on trj-iiig if tiny was to be pntcliaaoil
here, mill accoriliugtj- u[>enetl a STiiall gate, ftnd &sceii(Ia<i t!iruiij(ti a
gross-gmwu imCli in the orcliard lo a very [>ltuo, white fottnge, which
slooJ oil H geutly Bloping Iftwn, surrounded by a rude poling. lie
knocked against the door with hia fusee, and immcdialely a little voiy
girl appeared. " Tell mo, my pretty laus," cried iic, " wliether I con
pui'eliOAC any of the tiue apples I see liere." " Anan I" exclaiiiied the
girl, with B fooUali stnre. Oiicar Bl^nc'^E ^^ ^^ inoiiieiil into the
poKinge, saw from a liatf-closed lioor nearly opposite tlio one nt
which he stood, a beautil'ul fair face peeping out. lie involuntarily
started and ]>ui^iling tuiide the gii'l, mode a step into the passage. The
rooTU directly o|pened, nnd an elilerly woDi/in, of a. genteel ligure,
and i>leasing eounlenanpe, oppeareil. " Good lieavens I" cried Oscar.
taking off his hat, nod retreating, "I fear 1 have been guilty of the
highest impertinence; the ouly B])ology I can otl'cr is by saying it
was not intentional. T am quite a stranger here, nnd having b«en
informed most of the orchards hereabouls contained fmit for sale, I
intruded under that Idea." " Your mistake, sir," she replied, with a

9T

F'Wme<itii» fancied he luw an ftrch rmilo plivjing orer lier features at
L (be involuntary glancoa lio directed towarJs ber.

A fine bottet uf upples and eome dclieiooa cider were brouglit to
r Osc&r, and ha fjund hia entertaioer u ho«pitable in disj>OBitioa U
lhe vrsA pleasing in convoTnatiDn,

Tbe betLutiful interior of the cottage by no means corresponded

vitL the plainneB* of the exterior ; tbe furniture wm elegantly neat,

Alid ttie room ornnmenled iritL a variety of fine printi and land-

I scapes: a largo folding glus door opened from it into a plooBurs

Adelo, so wm tlie ohaniiing young stranger CAlleil, obatted in the

k puin lively and (iiaiiliar terms, and at last ruiuiing over to the b.vket,

F tosl lite appks all about the table, and picking ou tbe finest, presented

tbem to Oscar. Tid scarcely ncocsiuu-y to say be received them witii

•motion: but how ti'Hnsietit is all nutjlunary bli^l A cuckoo dock

r Otoor's liead, by striking three, reminded bim that be bail

' fiaased near two hours in tbe cottage. '' Oh, he&veni," cried bo,

■larticg, " I have made a moiit unconscionable intrusion ; you see my

dear lodiet," bowing redpecifully to both, "tbe cunsequeuce of being

too polite and too fascinating." He repeated his tljanks in tbe most

ftniinaled mouner, aud snatching up bis hat deported, yet not without

cutiag

Tbe sound of footsteps after hiin in the lawn made him turn, and
b« {>eroeiv«d the Udien Lad fullowed liini thither. lie stopped again
to speak to them, and extolled the lovely prospect tlicy had from that
•ainence, of the lake and ltd scattered Islands. "I preeome," aaid
JLdeht, handling the ftisee on which he Uant, " you were trying yonr
■access to-day in fowling!" " Ve^ but as you pen eive, I have been
nnancoessAil." '"Then, I assure you," sdd she, with an arch smile,
*' there is choice game to be found in our woods." — '■ Delicious gnme
Indeed I" cried be interrupting the archness of her look, and animated
by it to touch her hand, "but only tantalizing to a keen sportsman,
■who sees it elevated above his rencli." "Come, come," escloiuied ^
tlie old loiIy, with a sudden gravity, "we are detaining the gentle-
mail." Shu took her fnir companion by the arm, and hastily turned
tu the cottngo. Omklt gazed alter tlieiii a momenl, theti vrilb a halt

VS caiLBatnurTBCJiBtr.

«DunbereJ sigk deac«D(M l« tb* road. If « CDBld not bcl|> llunluag
thia inuidenl of the moniinc rerj like the note! ftdientarM be had
Mometimet rea^ to hi* Biat«r Anunda aa alie Hit &t vork, and to com*
pletc liic rercmblance, thougbt h«, 1 uun fall in loie iriib ihe little
heruiup. Ab I 0«c*r. beirare of itiich imprudenue ; guard jour bfsrt
with all vmir mre ngainvt t«iid«r iinptfrsiioni>, tiil fuHune hat Lern
man pr«piii<ia« (o ;f>ti ; tba* would mv fatbei fpeak, tnu?«i) Oscar,
and set his o«n misfurtum in i^rnble array b*f)rc mc, were he ouw
preBent. Well, I must endeavour to act as if ha were hero to exhort
inc. Uci^h ho! proceeded he. abotilderiiig hia fusoe, glurv fur sume
lime to coiDB must be my miatreea.

Tlie null momiDg the fiuee was again taken down and he sallied
ont, tftrefully sToiding the officers, lest any of (Iiera ^iionld oflfer to
BcooinpHDj htm, for he felt n strADge relactanee to their participating
I'iihvr the »m]\e» of Adcla, or the apples of the old Itulr. Upon hii
an-ivul at thu orclianl, finding the gate open, he ad^anceiJ a few tttpa
np Iho path, and had a gliitipsa of the rotcage, but no object waa
TJsiblp. 0»car was Io<i modest to atlemgit entering it uninTitfd, bs
thprefore turned back, vet often «wt a hwk behind him ; no one how-

wne ra!t«d to h^rs vitb the moit ftrdent ftdmirmtion : ^et not to
them alone could he confine the eipreMioo of his feelings; thay
broke in half-formed scotcDces from his tips, which Adels beard witb
the moat perfect composure, desiring him either to eat or pocket hw
apples quickly, as she nanlod her boDoet. being ia a grent hurry to
returu to the cottage, from which aha had made a kind of stolen
march. The apples ware instantly committed to his pocket, and htt
was permitted to tie on the bonnet. A depraved nan might faara-
mieinterpreted the gaiety of Adela, or at least endeavoured to take
Advantage of it ; but the sacred inipreision of virtue, irhich nature
and education had stomped upon the heart of Oscar, was indcliblj
filed, and he neither suspected, nor for worlds would bave altomptod
injuring the innocence of Adela ; he beheld her (in what indeed was
ft true liglit) AS a little pkyt'iil nymph, whtue actions were the oCf-
■priog of innocence,

" I assure you," eiclaimcd she, rising, " I am very loth to quit thli
pleasant seat, but if I make a much longer delay, I shall find tlie lad;
of the cottage in aniious eipeotation." "May I advance!" said
Oscar, as be pushed open the gate for ber. " If you do," replied she,
"(he lea«t that will be said from seeing ns together, is that wo were
in Boarch of each other llie whole of the morning." " Well," cried
Oscar, langhing at this careless speech, "and if they do say so, it
-would not be doing me ii\jnstioe." *' Adieu, adieu," aaid she, waving
her hand, " not another word for a kin^om."

What a compound of beauty and giddiness it is, thought Oscnr,
watching ber till shu c.itered the cottage. As he returned from the
Bweet spot, he met some labourers, from whom he inquired concern-
ing ibi owner, and learned she was a respectable widow lady of the
name of Mrj-lowe.

On Oscar's retnrn from Ennisliellin, he heard from tlie officers that
General Uoneyivood, an old veteran who had a fine estate about
fourteen miles from the town, was tliat morning to pay bis cnnipli-
menta to them, and that cards had been left for a grand (i^te and ball
which be annually gave on the first of July, to commemorate one of
. the glorious vicloriea of King William. Every person of any faahioa
in and a^out the neighbourhood was, on such occasions, sure of ao
invitation, and Uie officers were pleased with theirs, as they had fo»
wme time wished for nnopporlnnity of seeiuK Hie gennrars dangliltr
who was ver}' nmcli aiimhvd.

pillar

100 e a 1 L b R ( N 0 . T n » * . B E T .

The KWiBrftl, like k Irue votnran, rctttincd an enthuBinrtic attncti-
niinl for Ui« profcBuioo of arm>, to vrhiuh. not only tlia motmng. bol
Iha ninridiaii uf bi« lifo had beeo devoted, and which he hud not
quitted till oompellod by a debilitated constitution. Senlcd in bi»
t,\ mansion, he brgnn to BipericBce the want of a faithful com-
who would heighten the cnjoyroeiits of tlie tranquil hour,
ftnd aoothe (be infirmllioa of age ; thii want wiw Boon supplied by hia
union with a young lady in the noighbnurhood, whose only dowry
waa innoaeiK-e and beauty. From the great disparity of their ogoa,
it wa« concluded she haii married for convenience ; but the lonoF of
bar oonduat chanfc»d this opinion, by proving the general posseiwod
her taoderest sflectiona. A bappicr ooaplu wei-e n«l Lnown; hut
till* hitpjilnuHS WM lorminated ab Huddcmiy as fatally by her death,
which lin|ii>«ned two years nftei' tlie birth of her daoghtcr; all the
(teneral's love was liien centered in her child. Many of the ladice in
the nelghbuurb(HHl, induoed by the well-known felicity his Jady had
•i\]uyed, or by the largeneita of Ills fortune, made atteiupta to engage
blin In nialriiiionial toils, hut be fought shy of theia all, aolemnly
fleolaring, " he would never bring a al«p-mother over his dear girl."
In her liifiuioy she was his pUiything.

101

s enteriainmeot smved,
jiarty, set off eviy- tor

, At iKigth the (layfurGeuiTnl Ilniieywdo
jaid the ot&c«ra, accoTii[)anio(l by a Inrgt

Miillswii, tbe nsme of the gooerai's seat ; it was aitnated

rdera of Llie lake, wbere they found barges waiting to eoivtsf them

a H BinaU island, which was tlie «e^ne of the inoming's. anmsement.

e bn-nkfost was bud out aioidst thti ruins of an anbieot buildings

rbicb, from the renerablu remains of its G<ith!u olefajut, was, idobC

probably, in tlie days of religious enthuHiasni, tli« seat of sacred

; the old trees in groupa formed a thick c^pp^ overhead, and

) ivy that crept along the walls filled up luanji^^-tlie nicheB where

indona bad formerly been; those that SttU.' remained open, by

■sceoding to tlie ground, alfurded a must emihai^ting prospeui of the

[e; the long succession of ardies whirb* -ot^iiliioited the body of the

iiipel were in tuany places mvereil vilji creeiiing mrma, atid scat-

with wiUl-fliiwcrg, blue hare-bcils, and iilhcr fpontaneoua

K of nature, while between them were pLiced seat« and

rvakfiu-t-inblen, onuuiieuted in s fanciful manner.

'he iillicera experienced a most agreeable surpi

T itiferiur were their feelings to the seiuatioi

in, iiiiruduced with tlie jmrty by the gonerul

ehl ill Miss Iloneywood the luvtly AdeU. She Beetncd [o ciijuy

sarjiriae, and Ura. MarUiwe, IVoiii the op|Kisitc side of the tulile,

bckiHicd Liiii to her with on nrch look ; he flew round, nnd she

Je romii fur liim by herself. " Well, ray friend," cried slie, " do

I Uiiiik yini sliult find the general'^ fruit as tempting as mint.!"

.!i!" eidaiined OsciLr, half-sigh lug, half-smiling, " [lc«)H.-riun fruit,

nr, wliic'lt I can never ho[ie to obtain." Adela's stieiitiun, duiing

|tiikl'ii*l, ivas too much engrossed by the corn|iniiy to uUow liur to

e Oiciir mure than by a few hasty words and smilee. There

; no daneing tJU the evening, the company, after breakfast, dis-

Krsed accordiog to their various inclinations.

t ii-liuid WAS diversified with tittle acclivities, and Bcnttcred over
wild sbniUs, wliicli embalmed the ulr ; temporary nrbuure of hiii>
L, intermingled with lilies, were erected and laid out with fruits,
IS and otiier refreshments; upon the edge of the water a iiianguee
pitcbeil for tlie ref^inental band, which eulonel Uvlgrave bad
dy LMUipliinented the general with; a flag was huitited on it, and
■ few small flcld-piecei wuru mounted-, w^Kn^

e on entering, bnt
which Oscar felt,
daughter, he

IM

aata were everj vbere dtapeised, dressed in wlitte Blreflmera, oni»
raeEll^ witli a provision of orange-col uiu-cd ribbons; tlie britinan
were dressed io the same livery, and the bsrgea, in whicli several af
the party'were to viait tbe otber i^l&nds, made a picturesque Appear-
ance with tbeir gaj »tre&iiiers finttering in the breeze ; tlie iiinsic now
softly djing »way upon tiie water, now gradnnllv swelling on the
breeze, and iMbued back by tlie u.'iglibouring hill, added to the
pleasure uf tbe scdne.

Oiicar followed th* steps of Adelo, bat at the very moment on which
be saw her disenj/^gefl from a lai^ party, the general hallooed after
him from a ahady bauk on which be sat. Oscar coidd not refuse tha
Hnmmons, and as he ap^'roacbed, the general, extending his hand, gave
him a cordial squeeze, ai>b vulcomed liini as the son of a brave man
he had once intimately kr^uwR/ "I recollected the nnine of FitzaUn,"
said he, " tlio moment I heard it mantioncil, nnd liad the liap|)iiicesof
learniug from Colonel Bclgrave I was not mistaken in believing you
to bo tlio son of my old friend." He now made several inqnirica
ning Filzalnn, nnd the aHi-cIiunate m^mncr in which 1

proclaitnod by sound of truDipel. and oDBwcrod b; nii inimeJiata
4i>cJiBrge from tlis mount. At tix, the Udlos rolurnt^d tuWuu41uwn
Cb change their drcueii for the ball, and nuir

Tea Bt)d coffee were served iu the respectivo roami, and by eleroa

le ball-room was completely crowded with company, at onco brilliant

mpd lively, particuinriy the ^^flntlemcn, who were not a littlo elevated

if the cnnerara potent libationa to th« glorious memory of hiui whoso

livictory they were celebrating.

Adela, adorned lu a style superior to what Oscar hnd yet wen,

l^ppeared more lovely than he Lad even first thonght lier; her dre»B,

which was of Ibin muslin spangled, was so coiitrived as to idve a kind

)tt aerial lightncM to lier ti^nirc. Oscar reminded her of the pminise

the morning at the very moment tlie colonel approacliG<l r<>r ilie

purpose of engitging her : she instantly infonued liim of Iht engugc-

lent to Mr. Fitzftlan, "Mr. Fitzalanl" repeated tlio colouc!, with

ie haughty wr of a man w)io thought ho liad reoison to tw utfended:

he has hwn rather pi-ecipilate indeed, bnt though we may envy,

%lio ohall wonder at his anxiety to engage Miss TlDueywoud."

Dancing now commenced, and the elegant Rgiire of Adein never

greater advanloge : the lranBporte<l general watched every

ivemeni, and "incomparable by Jove! — wliut a sweet uugel fhe

'' were eipresaians of admiration which (nviiluntarily broke from

a in the pride and fondness of bin heart. Oscar too. wboae figore

j-n.s remarkably fine, sliareil his adnuration, and he declared to Colo-

ISelgrnvo, he did not think the world could produce such another

iple: this aimcrtion was by no means pleasing to the colonel ; he

isessed an mncJi vanity, perhaps as ever fell to the share Oi n young

us of iiertVetlon, and detested the idea of havini* any

fWmpetitnr (at least such a powerful one as Oacor) in the good ^ncca

f tlie lodieo. Adela having concluded the dance, complaiunl of

itigoe, and retired to an alcove, -whither Oscar followed her; the

coTumnnded a view of the lake, the little iblsn'I and the

icJ abbey; the moon in full splendor, cast her silvery light over

lioae objects, giving a sotlness to tbs landscape even morejilcositg

the glowing charms it had derivpd from lh(i rndinncyof day

lot caiLbRixoriiiBABiiir.

Adela in dancing hai dropped the bandeau from her hftir. Oa»r took
it up and «til! rotnined it ; Adela noir stretchad Turth her hnnd Co take
It ; "Allow me," cried he, gently taking her hand, " to keep it; to-
lootTow you would ca«t it away as a trifle, but I would treasure it as
a relique of inegCirnabla value ; let me bare lome memento of the
charming hours 1 have passed to-day." "Obi ft truce," said Adela,
" \rith luch eipressioDi, (wbo did not, bmrever, oppose his putting
her bandeau in bis bosom) they are quite coinnii'ii place, and have
alrco'lj been repealed to hundreds, and will again, I make no doubt,"
— " This is your opinion T " — " Yes, really." — '■ Oh I would lo heaven,"
oiolainied Oscar, "I durst convince jou liow mistaken a one it is."
Adelo, Isngliing, Msnred him that would be B difficult matter. Oiicsr
grew pensive; "I think," rried he, "if oppressed by niisfortime, I
kIiuuM of all places on eaKb, like a aecliiBion in the old Abbey,'"
" Why, really," said Adela, " it is tolernbly calculaied for an henni-
togc, niid if you take a sulilary whim, I beg I may be apprised of it in
time, as I thoiild receive peculiar pleasure in preparing your mossy
eoucii aud frugul fare." "Tlie reason for my liking it," replied he,
" would be tiie pi%)spect I ahoald have from It of Woodkwn." " And

I ^AMl&ring it waa b trophy of the liappiucas he had enjoyed tbai d&j,
wd that the genarnl should have informed her a Boldier Dorer rriin*
[ qnished ajch a glorious memealo." " Rssigu miue," replied Adela,
f'and procure oue from Miss O'Neal. " — "No/'eriod ho, "I would not
I f^j ber charmi and my own ainoeril; so bad u comptlment as \a &tk
I what I should not in Iho least degree valuo." AdcU'o Bpiritti revived,
I KDd she repeated her request no more.

The dancing continued afwr supper, with little in terminal on, till
Nven, when the company repaired to the saloon to breakfast, aftor
[ iriiich they dispersed.— The general particularly and affecionatsly
J bid Oscir farewell, and charged him to ooneider Wood lawn as his
I knd-qsarters. " Be assured," said the good-naturoi old man. " tha
I son of my brave, worthy, and long- respected friend will ever ba
I wliuble to my heart and welcome to my home ; and would to h^roti
Ffa the oaim evening of life, your father and I had pitched our t«ula
tr each other."

jm this period Oscar became almost an inmate of his houw;. anu
■ ^e general shortly grew so attached to bim, (hat he felt unhappy if
ed of his Dociety. The attentions he received from Oecar wen
s an aSectionale son would pay a tender father ; he supporlc<1
lerable friend whenever ho attempted to walk, attended him
Pjn all the excursions he made about his domain, read to him when
e wanted to be lulled tj sleep, and listened, without betraying any
mploms of fatigue, to his long, and often truly tiresome stories of
' battles and campaigns: in paying these attentions Oscar
Qftieyed the dictates of gratitude and esteem, and also gratified a
VJMueTolent disposition, happy iu being abis

Qut bis time was not so entirely enprnssoil by lbs goiiernl, na to
rovent bis lisving nmny hours t<i devote Id Advln; with her be
lately conversed, read, and sung, roinUad with ber tlirongh
tomjintic putba, or rode along the beautiflil borders of Lougb Erne,
a almost bor constant escort to all Ilio parties she went to in tlio
eigliboarbood, and freqneatly accompanied her to the bovcb of
Irrctcbodnnss, where the woes which extorted the soft tear c~com>
fcisor.ition be saw amply relieved by ber gi>neriiLis band ; ndii-riig
K ta I'C dill bcPjrc, hov iiiii^ittiblo was ii fnr O-car. in ili.^r.. daii
ii»

lOfl cniLDKsii or t»i abbbt.

gcroua tate-i-tetes, to resist the progreu of a tendtr passion — a p«s-
■bn, Udwever, conGaed (lu {m at Iciist as sileDoe could cuafloe it) lu
bit onu heart. — The cunfidence tchiuh bo thiiught the geueral repused
iu liim, bv Bllowitig siich an interourse with his daughter, wus too
snored in bis estimation lo b« abused, but tliough honour reaislcd.
Ilia heultL jielded to his feelings.

Adflu, fnim delighling in company, auddenlj took a pensiro lurn r
(ho deuliaed the r^natoDt socielj she bod hitherto kepi up. und
fceeaifd in a solitary ramljle with Oscar, to enjoy more pleasure than
the cavcst parry appeared to afford hor ; the farouriie spot ibuj
tiaitoil alnioEt every eveuiog, was a path on the margin of the luke,
at the foot of a vuudy mountain ; bore often seated, they Tiered the
eun sinking behind the opposite liilU, und while thvy ct^oytd the
bentgn&nay <ii his departing bconis beheid him tinge the trembliog
waves vi^i gohl and purple; the low whlBtlo of t]ie plonghiuoa
rQtQrtiin«; to his hanible cottage, tlie ]i)iiiiiIivo carol ofbirda from Uie
Bt^aCf'it fft^Te, and the low bleating of tlio cattle Ihiiu pasturca
wbich ewelleil above the water, all these, by giving tlie aonnesa and
most pleasing ehorms of nattirc to the hour, eutitvivcd to louob yet
more sensibly, hearts already prepossessed iti favour of each otl]i:r.

rniboBiNoriaiABDiT. 107

fed jo; t,aA lerror ; her csrcues soon r«viv«d him, and n» he relumed

ni. his ejes eagerlj tvugbt his deliTerer. Oacar stoud near, with

Kfaingled teodernviH and anxiety id his looki, the general tool( hi»

tend, and whilet he pressed it along with Adela'g lo his bosonii taara

■in them. — "You are both tny cbildrenl" he exclaimed; "the

Aildren of m; love, and from juur felicity I must derive mine."

LThia expression Oacar coneeired lo bo a mere effusion of gratitude,

"ittle thinking what a project relatlre lo him bs4 entered the gene-

fal't head, wlio bad first, howerer, consulted and learned from his

Ikughter it would be agreeable hi her. This generous, some will «nj

l*nauuitia old mnn, felt for Oscar tlie most nnbonnded love and grati-

I (fade, and aa the best proof of this, he resolved to bestow on this

t'^ung soldier his rich and lovelj heiress, who hod acknowledged to

er her predilection for him. He knew botb bis birtb to be

I feoble. his disposition amiable, and his spirit brave ; besides, by this

I teion l« should secure the society of Adola ; he wished her married,

it dreaded, whenever that event ti^ok place, he should be deprived

of her; but Oscar, be supposed, bonnd to him by gratitude, would,

vnlike others, accede to his wishes of residing at Woodtawn during

his tifetime: his project ha resolved on communicating to Colonel

Bdgrave whom, on Osmr's auconnt he regarded, as Oscar had ai^d

(what indeed he believed) that he was partly indebted to him for bis

commission.

What a tiiunder stroke was this to Belgrare, who arrived at Wood-
lawn the morning after the resoluLiun was finally settled, aud was
■died to accompany the general about a tiltle business, lo the sum-
mer-honse in the garden; poor Oscar trembled; he felt a presenti-
ment he should be the subject of disuourw, and liad no donbt but
the general meant to oompkin to Ooloncl Bclgrave, as a person who
had some authority over biro, atwut his great pai'ticiilnrity to liisa
Hooeywond.

Bftge, envy, and snrprise, kept the cdlonol silent some minutes after
ihe general had ended s|>eaking; dissiinuiatiun tliun eonie lo his aid,
nd be attempted, though in Altering accents, to express his adtnira-
ioc of Biicb generosity; yet to bestow sncli a treasure, so inestimable,
ft FUch A man, when so many of equal rank aud fortune sigbeil Rii
H possession; upon a man too, or rather a bov, froru whose age il
I.Ci[;ht he eipcctei!, his affuctious would be variable. "Let me t«U

108 CHILDRBN or THK 4BBEr.

jou, colonel," laid the geoerHl. haBtil; interrupting him, and Btrilfing
hia Blick upon the ground, as he aroao to return lo the house, " there
can bo but Httla danger of his DfTeclions changing, when eucb tt girl
as Adela is his wife ; bo touch no more upon that subject, I entrent
you ; but jou roust break the affair to the young fellow, for I should
bo in Buch a confounded flurr;, 1 ahould sot nil in confusion, bud bent
an alarm at the firiit onset."

The gloom and cmbnrrassmoBt which Rppenrcd in the countenance
of the colonel, filled Oncar with alarmB, lio imagined them eicited bf
friendehip for him ; after what the general had said, he sighed to
hear Darticulara, and longed for the first time to quit Woodlawn. —
The colonel n'&x indeed in a atato of torture; he had long medilat«d
ihe concjuest of Adela, whose fortniie and beanly rendered her a truly
desirable object; to resign her without one ctTort of circumventing
Oscar, was not to be thought of: to blast his promised jojs, even if
it did not lead to the accomplishment of his own wi.thes, he felt
would give him some comfort, and he resolved to leave no meana
nniried for so doing.

They set oft' early in the morning for Enniskellen, and Belgrave

C>1ILD»«» Uf IKK iBBgr. lOfl

f *t tiani; him. ha hu not generoflit; enough to reiTard that brarer;
bis daiighlsr or any of her treasure," — '■ Ilenvea is my witneM 1 "
vxclaimed the unsuspicious Oncar, "I ncTCr aspired to cither; I
hlwavB knew m; passiim for his daughter as hopeless us ferTent. aud
«l«iMn for him m disinterested as siuccre : 1 would have sooner
8ied than abused the confidonce he repoiied in me by revealiDf; my
attachment; 1 see, however, in future I must be an exile to Wood-
lawn." "Not BO, neither," replied the colooei. "only aToid such
particularity to the |;irl : I believe in my soul she has more pride
than BUBceptibility in her nature ; in your next visit, therefore, which
'fcr that purpine 1 would bavo joi soon tiutlte, dticlare, Id a cavalier
taaiuier, ^onr alTections were engaged previous to your coming to
Ireland; this decloralioD will set all to rights with the general, be
no lunger dread you on hia daughter's account, you will be as
•relcome as ever to Woodlawn, and enjoy daring your oontinuanco in
the oonnlry, the society yon liavo liitherto been accustomed to,"
," said Oscar, "I cannot assert au (treat a falsehood." — "How
ridiculous," replied the colonel: "fur heaven's sake, my dear boy,
drop each romantie notions ; 1 should be the lost man in the world
to desire yon to invent a fabehood whicli could injure any one, but
no priest in Christendom would blame you for this." "And suppose
I vtr.iiiriv w!iftt will it do, bnt bind faster round my heart chains
klrently loo gallini;, and destroy in the cnil all remains of peac«."

'■Faitli, Fitzalsn," said the coionel, "by tlio time you hove had a

few more love afliurs with some of the pretty girls of tlii» kingdom,

you will talk no more in this way; consider (and be not loo scrn-

pnlous) how disagreeable it will be to resign the general's friendship,

uid the pleasing society yon enjoyed at Woodlawn; besidijs, it will

■ppear strange to those who knew your former Intimacy ; in honour

too yon are bound to do as 1 desire you, fur should the ^rl liavp

been imprudent enough to conceive an attachment for you, this will

. nertoinly remove it, for pride would not allow its continuance after

I bearing ofafAvonrite rival, and thegeneral will be essentially served."

I " My (Joor colonel," said Oscar, his eyes suddenly sparkling, " do yon

tlilnk nlie has been imprudent enough to conceive a partiality for

met" "I am suns," said the colonel, "that is a question I cannot

I |>ositivelj answer; bnt to give my opinion, I think from her gay

1 vnofibnrmfu^d innnner, slifi hjinot." "I suppose not, indecil," fj'.td

110

■ T,

OKnr, muurnfull J sighing, " whj thea sliould I be & guilt; of afaW
homJ fur B pQnua who in already indifferent Id nie f " "I have tuld
ji)u my reaioa," replied the colunel coldlj. "do an juu please."
They were now both silent, but ibe uoDrer^alion wts hmd rcnon-ed,
&dJ many arguments paused on both side OHcaHa heart secrelljr
favoured the culonel's plan, as it prumlted the iodulgence af Adela'a
Rooiety ; tu be an exile from Woodluwn was insupporluble Ii> bis
lliDUghts. reason yielded to the vehemence of paseioD, and he at liut
fell into the xnare the perfidiouH Belgravo had spread ; thus by a
deviation friiin tnith, forl'eiling Iho biuasing a boautaiiod pmvideuce
had prepared fur liiin.

Ob I never let the child of integrity be seduced from the plain and
nndeviating path of sincerily ; oh I never let him hope by illicit
means to attain a real pleaBnre; the hope of obtaining any good
throngh snch means will like a meteor of the night, allure but to
deceive.

Soon after this fatal promise to the colonel, a self-devoted victim,
be accompanied him to Woodlawn : on their arrival Mis9 Honey wood
was in the garden, and Oscar trembling went to seek her; he found

my »torj- — " then pausing a minute, ho Btarted up, " no," continued
he, "I Hiid it impossiblfl to tell it~let tbU dear, this eatimnbtcol^oct,
(drairiiig n aitnlnture i>f his lister rrom liis bdsumj, npeak fiir me mid
declare, wEiether he who bvcn tiui^h a beinp: can ever lii»c thnt Inre,
or help being trrelched at knowing it is without hope." AdtU
soalched it hnstily from him, and by n andden siarl betraved her
gurprige : words are indeed ioadequnte to exprcM her heart-rending
cmoiions, as she contemplated the beautiful oounlenanae or her
iiunginary rival ; and waa Oicar then — that Oicar whoa she sdorsd
— wlios« lisppiness tihe had lioped to coiutitule — whose fortune ehe
dtliahtud to think the should wlvanee — really attached to onotlier;
■las too true he waa — of the artachment &he held a convincing proof
in her hand, she examined it again and again, and in it« inllil beauljea
tlionglitshebeh«ld a striking proof of the superiority over lliechnmu
abe tientetf possessed ; the rosea forsook h«r checks, n iiiist nvengireutl
her eyes, and with a Khivcring horror she dni]>i>ed it frtira her hand.
Oscar bad quilted the arbour to conceal his a^fonii^s. " Well," said
he, now returning, with forced caliiinaiki, "is it not worthy of inspir-
ing the passion I f«elt" Unable to answer liini, s)ic could only point
to the place where it lay, and hastened to th« bouse. "Swe«t
imago," cried Oscar, taking it trom the ground, "wljat an unworthy
purpose have I made you answer — alaal all in now over — Adela — my
Adelal — Is lost for ever — lost — ah heaTensI hud I ever hopes o(
poaaeaslng her — Oh nu! to such happiness never did I dare to look
forward." Adelo, on reaching tlie parlour which opened into tba
garden, found her father there; "Ab: you little baggage, do I act
deserve a km for not disturbing your tcte-u-lL-tel Where is tltat
young rogue Fitzalan;" "1 beg, I CTilicnt, sir," «aid Adcla, wl,os«
teare wmld no longer b« ««r:ii;!eil, "jou will never menlion him
npnln to i!io, iiw imich l.ac iilrviidy 1>ccil stud nbont him." "Nayt
]<r'ytli«r, my liltlo girl," cxetiiiincil tlic general, rggnrding her witli
«ur|>i'iac, "eeiM lliy Mglis and tcni-s, and tell me what's the ninlter."
" 1 Hill hnrt," replied slie, In a voice scarcely articiihtle, " thntso innch
tiiw U'uii Miid about Mr. FiUnlon, who 1 con never rcgiird in any
oiliiT li(:lit iluin that of a common acqualniance." The colonel, who
liail I'liriMtpvly lingered about tlie wood, now entereil, Adcla Htiirtcd
And pn.'r:i|iiliitely retreated tiirouuh oiii^lher dour: — "Fnitli, my deul
fM-Wi,'' wiiJ llio gwioral, " I tin (jhid you arc comfj, Uie boy anil j[ir

Imre had b littlo skirmiili, but lilce utlicr Iutc quarrels, I BUppose it
will soon be made up, ao lot me knuw how the hid bor« the snnouDCB-
ment of his good fortuiie," '■ It fllla a raiiimal mind with regret,"
cidaimod the colonel, oeoting himself graTnlj, and inwardly rejoicing
at the success of his Etratagcm. ''to find such a fatalitj prevalent
nmoDg mankind, as makes them reject a proffered good, and sigii for
UiaC nhich is unattaiuublo ; like wayward children neglecting their
sports 1(1 pursue a rainbow, and weeping as the airy pageant mocks
tlieir ftrasD." "Very true, indeed," said the general, " vary eicellent
upon my word ; I doubt if the chaplwn ol' a regiment ever delivered
such a pretty piece of morality ; but, dear colunel," laying bis band
on his knee, " what did the boy eay ?" " I am sorry, sir," he rejjlied,
" Iliat what I have ju^t said in ao applicable to him ; lie acknowledged
the lady's meril, citolled her generosity, but pleaded a prior attach-
iiieni against ncceplicg your offer, whicti even one more eialted
would not tempt him to forego, though he knows not whether ha
will ever succeed in it." "The devil he didt" exclaimed the general,
as soon as rage and surprise wijuld allow him to speak, " the little
imi^rtinent puppy ; the nngraleful young dog ! a prior attachment —

lis

!. and the dot

in tiJB brciWt;

a delighl lu Umt

1 proaperoua kiid

1 ifae fii'Bt tho

H or 700 th

.1*

l«e<1 her ]iaMinn fur hint wu of ths tenderant nnl
|]tr»oH' wirh Imvin); inspired one efiimllj urdi
oned liy ber Tutlier, alis thought it wuuld cum
thcii iJre^ and looked forward irith a gonerou
'idd wben sbe should render ber bei»ved Fitiaiai
Icpeftdent 1 the ditappointmeDt sbe experienred,
met, «nt hea'T on her bonrt, aod the ga;
• moisent cloaded by melancholy ; hut her pride vtu kt
grcnt an ber scnttibility. ftud 08 its powerful Impulse pervaded her
jnind, she resolved to afford Oscar no triumph, b; letting him wit-
her dojeotiun ; ihe therefure wiped away ali tracei of learn from
eyes, ched(cd the vain sigli Uiat sti'ii^luil at htr beiirt, nod
d herself witli as tniicb attention ea ever; her heitvy eyes, hor
lurless checks, however, denoted her feelings j the tried, as she
table to appear clieerl'ul. hut in vain, and on tlie removal of the
ith immediately retired, an no ladies were pixaent,
The general was a stranger to dissimulation, and as he no lunger
full, he no longer treated O^car witli usual kladiieaH; when )iate,
trembling, and disordered, lie ap|>eared before hiin, he received liiin
frown, an air scarcely oonipiaisant; ilii:' increased tlie
itation of Oscar: every leeling of his soul was in coinniotion, he
longer the lite of the eom|H»nyi tlieir hajipiuBss and mirth
led a sttiking contrast to liis misery t ad dejection ; he (vlt a fur-
wretch, a mere child of sorrow end dEpeoiI«nc«i scalding tear*
;)ped Chain hjru as he bent over Ids plate, be could have cudumI
iself ftir such weakness; fortunately it was nnnoticed. In losfiift
general's attention he teemed tu luso that of liie (.'nests; bis tiiu-
Wiim grow too irkAinie tn be borne; he row nDmrr.rdod, and a Hocrut
impiiI>o led bim to t!ie drawing rooin. livre Adeln, opprebsed hy the
il^eclii'iioi hcrlo^vspinl*, had tliiiig liur^eii' uponawuch, andgrudo-
stink into a nlumber. Oscar stepped liylilly forward, und (;u<i>d on
witb a tendemeiv as ei'iniute as a motlier woidd have fJl in
iwing her deeping babe. Her cheek, which rented on her fuir
liand, was tinged with a bhi.sh, by tlie reflection of a cnmsoD curtrJi
throngh which the sun darted, and the traces of a tear were yet dis'
cerrjble upon iL — "Keverl" cried OecAr, with folded hands, as ^u■
hong over the iotereetiog figure. " never may any tear, excf'
" toft NitiibUity for th«

s of otliert, bedew th« obndc of Adala

— perfect ai ber goodii«M be her felicity — mayeveiybleMing aatnam
enjoys be rendered permanent bj that power who amilei beniji^ly
upoD ianocence lilce herg. — Ob I Adula, he who Dow praji for yoat
felicity, Dei'er will lone jour idea ; be will cheriiili it in his heart, to
incli'Tate his eorrowa ; and, from the dreary path which may ba
appiiinteil for him to treati, iiometiniea look ba«k to happier scenea."
Adetn began to Htir, nhc murmured out nome inartinukte wordi^ aod
suddenly rising from the cuucb, beheld the motionlenH form of Fit*-
alan ; haughtily regarding him, she axked the meaning of Guch ait
iiitroHion. " I did nut mean, indeed, to intrude," laid he, " but when
I came and found you, cfiu you wonder at iny being fowiinatod to th*
BI>ot t" The plaintive tone of hisvoioe annk deep into Adda's heart;
she eighed heavily, and turning away eoaled herself in tlie window.
Oscar loUowed ; he forgot the character he had assomed in the morn-
ing, and gently seiiing her hand, pre&scd it to his bo80tn: at IM*
critical luiiiute, when mutual syinpatiiy appearing on the point of
triumphing over duplicity, the door opened, and Colone! Belgrave
appeared. From the instant of Oscar's departure lie had been on
Ihoi'na to follow him, fearful of the cocisequences of a t£te-il-t6te, and

not ipeak, bowed to Iho general, and hurried frum the room ; the
tear» bo had psinfuUv nupprpBsed gushed forth, and at tbe buKom of
the slaira be leaned agaimt the bauiatem fof support ; while he MBt
his eyes around, u if bidding a melnnoholy farewell to the scene of
former happinera, a hitnty fuutstep advanced ; he started, and wa*
precipitately retreating, when the Toioe of tbe butler stopped him;
this was aD old veteran, nnch attached to Oscar, and his osnal
atteadant in all hia fowling and Gahing parties; as he waited at tea,
he beard Oscar's declaration of departing with gurprise, and fiilloited
him for the pnrpoae of eiprenaing that and his concern ; — ■' Why, lord
now, BIr. Fiwalan," cried he, '■ what do you meaD hj leaving as so
oddly t Itut if you are so positive of guing to Ennlskellcn to-night,
let Tiie order a standard to be prepared fur yon." Oscar for some
time bail bad the command of the stables ; but knowing aa he did,
that ho bad lost the general's favour, he could no longer think of
taking those liberties which kindness bad once invited him to: be
wrung the hand of bis bumble friend, and snatching his hat from tha
hall table, darted out of the house ; be ran till be came to tha
mountain path, on tiie margin of the lake; "Never," cried he, dis-
trarte^ly striking his breast, " shall 1 see her again I ob I never, never
my iraloved Adala! shall yonr unfortunate Fitzalan wander with you
through tliose eacbsnting scenes; oh I how transient was hid gleam
of felicity I"

Exhausted by the violence of bia feelings he fell into a kind oi
tarpid state against the side of the mountain; the shadows of the
night were thickened by a coming storm, a cold blast hunlud
amongst the bills, and ogitatetl tbo glooniy waters of tlie lake; the
rain, accumponiod by sImL, began to fall, but tlie tempest raged unre-
garded around the child of sorrow, tlie wanderer of llie night. —
Adela alone

W^'

■nded every tlionght. Some fishermen approaching to secure
boats, drove him from ths aitoatioo, and he flew to the woodi
which screaned one side of the bonse; by the time he reached it th»
storm bad abai«d, and tJie moon, with a wstury lustre, breaking
IbmiJgh the cloads, rendered, by her feeble rsj?, tbe surrounding and
Just visibto.

Aiicla'r chamber looked into the wood, and the light frnm it riveb
O.^nr ta a Hprit exactly opfKigJie the -irlDdow. " Mj Adeta," ha «
claimed, extending his arms ni If she wuuld have heard and flura
iuEii them, then dejectedly dropping them, " abe thinks nut oa s
lurlorn wreti:h an me : oh t what oomfort to laj my poor dialrouled
Lead for one moment on her euft bosom, and hear her Rweet
speuk pity U> my turtured heart." Sinking iritb iTeakaean from tha
L'liDtiiutB uf hia mind, he sought an old rooflefts root house in tb« emtr*'
sf the wood, whete he and Adeia had often sat.

" Well," Ksid he, as lie flung ldni"elf oti the dan.p gronnd, " manf
a hrave fellow hos had a worse bed, but Giid particularly pmt«c<U
Ihe unnliellered heail of the soldier, and afflicted." The twittering
of the birds ronaei! Iiini from an uneasy slumber, or rather lethargy,
into vrlilcli he had fallen, and starting up, he iia«tcneil ti> the nin^
fearful, as day waa beginning to dawn, of being seen by an
General Honey wood's workmen : it van late ere he arrlvwl at Eiinfc
okellen. and befiiro be gained Itia room ho was met by sonieuf tha
oflieer', whn viewed him with evident astonialitnent ; his rcgimcntab
were quite spoiled, his line liair, from which the rain had-wulied )ti<
the powder, liung dishevelled about his siiouldors, the fcatlier of hit'
bat was lm>ken, and the disorder of his countenance wa« no
RUs|iicii>ns Umn that of his dress ; to their in<iniries he Btnminered olK
wunctliiiig of a fall, and extricnted himself with difficulty from tbem
In an obncnra village, fifteen miles Irom Ennishellen, a detaoliineni
of tbe regiment Iny; the otRcer who commanded it disliked hisslttu^
tion extremely, but conipany being irksome to Oscar, it was Jiut'
inch an one as he dosired, and he obtained leave to relieve him; tha'
agitation of his mind, aided by the efibcta of the storm he liad be*
exposed to, WAS too much for hia constitution ; immediately i
arriving at his new quarters he was seized with a violent fever, aa.-
officer was oliligeil to be sent :o do duty in his [dnee, and it was loof:
ere any Bymptoiu appeared which could Halter those who att"
liim with ho[>es of recovery ; wlien able to sit up he was ordered t»
retiiru to Enniskellen, wliere he conld be immediately under the a
of the regimenlnl surgeon.

Oscar's servant accom|>anied him in the canHage, and as it drow
slowly along be was agreeably surprised by a view of Mrs. HarlowA
ordiard; he oonid not resist tbe wish of seeing her and in

n|b)umM Telative to the inhftbitnnti of Woodlawn ; for with Mm.
nbrliitre, I shuuld prcrioufitjr sn;, he had cot only furmvd an inti-
nW'^v, but B BiDoere friendship ; stie was a womnn of the must pleiLsitif:
B.^anncrH, nnd to her auperiuModin); care Ailela wilb imlvlited fi>r
Btun? of the f^ces the posEeEsed, and at her cottage passed muny
Bfclrchtful hours with Oscar.

I , Tlie evening was far lulv.inivil when Oiicar reached III'' orchard,
Hnd leaning on liia scrvntit slowly walked np the hill. Had a ^pcetio
Klpi>eared hofore the old la<iy site cnnid not have Buemcil timro
Iwncked tlian she now did at the unexpected and eTiiaciatcil nppcar-
Enee of her yoang: friend — with all the teiidemesa of a fund niulher,
Bne pn»sed his cold Iianda between lier own, and seated lijni by the
HbrcHiil fire which blazed on her hearth, then pruci'red him ref^C8l^
Rieiiu, that, joined to her ronvenation, a liTile ruvivtsi hia spirits ;
Hj^ at this n1l>l^t^^t tlie recollection of the tiri4 interview he evur
^Xftd with her, recurred with [inin to liU heart; "Oar O'l^nda at
■Voodland I liojie," cried Ijc, he i>nn*iid — hnt his (yes eiprcascil the
BlKi|iiiry his tongue was unable to ituike. — " They are wi-ll and Imjipy,"
H%liei1 Mrs, Mwlowe, "mid yon know, I snppiae, of all tlmt has
^BUely happened there." "Nu, I know nothing, I am as one awoke
Bpntii tlie sliinditrs of the grnve." "Ere I inform yoa then," cried
Hv«. Vnrlowe, "lut me, my noble Oscar, express my approbation, my
JPrnlntlion, of your conduct, of tliat disinterested natnre which pre-
^■nvil tha prMervDtion of consbiney to the splendid Independency
HfflSered to your acceptance." " What splendid independency did 1
BkAise !" Bskeil Oscar, wildly storing at her. "'Tliat which the general
Hffbred." "Tlie generalj" "Yes, and appointed Colonel Oolgmvo
BEd declare his intentions." " Oh, heftveni< I" exclaimed 0«ar, sl.-irting
Hnxn his chair, "did the general indeeil form such intei<tiiins. imd
Uw n»l^Tnve then deceived nie! he told me my attcnilous to MIsh
HpiiDcywood were noticed and disliked — he filled my sonl wilh
Btouttcralile angubh, and persuaded mo to a f^sehood w1ik)i Una
MluBifcd me into despair !" " He is a wonstor," cried Mm. ^lariowe,
Bkftnd you arc a vicUm to Ms trea^erj," "OIi, mil I will fly lo tlm
■j^Dura] nod ojien my nhule soul to him, at his feet I will dccliira the
^nliw idvu of honour which misled me, 1 shall obtain bid forpvcncss
Mnd Adala will yet be mine," " Alas ! my child," said Mm. Mnrkiwe,
Bkopp'*V Him a» he V^ n'.rrying from tJie room, " it is now too late.

Ad»U can uerer be jovn, aha is mBiried, v>(l married nnio Bd*
gnvp." Oscar aUggered book ft few pacea, ottered & deep BTOant
and Toll MDselew at her feet. tin. M&rlowe'* criei brought in hia
aervitnC ns weU aa her own to her Msiitonce i he was laid upon a bed,
but it WHS long ere he showed anj aigus of recoverj: at length, open-
iog hia hearj ejes, be sighed deeplj, and exolaimed, " She is lost to

The Berrant* were dumUaed, and the teodet-bearted Mra. Mar-
lowe knell b«e)de him. "Uh, my fiiand," said she, "my heart
aympatltiEOa in yoar sorrow, but 'tis from your own fortitade, mora
tiian my syinpalhy, yon mnst now derive resonrcee of snpport."
"Oh liorrililel to know the cup of happiness waa at my lips, and
that it was my own luuid dashed it from me." "Such, alasl" said
Ure. Uarlowe, si^'hing aa if tonched At the moment vrlth a similar
pang of sell-re^ret, "is the wayvrudness of morlals; too often do
they deprive themselves of llie blessings of a bouoteom Proridenoa
by their own folly and imprudence — oh! mj friend, bom as yoH
were, with a noble ingennily of soul, never let that sonl again ba
sullied by the smallest deviation from sincerity." " Do not aggr^

^weTer thut husband may b«: or that tbe old general, irho so fondly
planned your folicily, would forgive, if be could Burfive the eviln of
tiou'w occaoiiinoJ by you?" The aword dropped from the trem-
bliof; hand of Osoftr: " I have been blamable," cried he, "in allow-
ing mrioti' to be trunxporled to Rucb an eSTort of revenge ; 1 forfcoi
Werjlhing but that; and a« Ui my own life, deprived of Adfila, It
Bppenrit »o gloomy as lo be scarcely worth preBerving."

Ui-H, Uarlowe aeiicd Uii« moTcent nf yiolding aofbiMii, to iwlvisQ
wd resaoD with him : her l«ara mingled with hia, an sliu llstvoMl to
. hi* relation of Uelgrave's perfidy ; tears augmented by rcSecting, that
' Atlols, tlie darling of her care and affections, was also a victjm to it:
rabe oonvinceil Oscar, however, that it would be prudent to confine
t the filial secret to their own breasts. Tbe a^tation of his mind was
-.too tnuuh for tlie weak state af hia health, tbe fever returned, and he
□niiUe to quit tlie cottage ; Mrs. Mnrlowe prepared a bod for hiin,
» tmaling hu would soon be able lo rernoro, but slie was disappointed,
, it W88 luiig ere Odcnr could qnit the bed of sickoess ; she watched
r him with maternal teudernew, while he, like a blasted flower,
.■Mmed haetcniug to decay.

The general was atong to Iba soul by the r^ection of his offer,
^ which be thought would hove inspired the sou] of Oscar with ropturo
god gratitude; never had his pride been so severely wounded, never
before bod be felt hnmbled in his own eyes : his mortifying reflec-
tions the colonel soon found means lo remove, by the most delicato
Sattery and tbe mo«t sasidaous attention, assuring the general that hi«
conduct merited not tlie censure, but the applause of the world ; the
•ophistry which can reconcile us to ourselves Js tndy pleasing, the
colonel gradually becoming a favonnlc, and when he insinuated bis
AttacliineDt for Adela, was asanred he should bnve all the general's
Interest with lier; he was now more anrions than ever to have her
sntageonsly settled ; there wos something so humiliating in llio
idea of her being r^cct«d, that it drove him at times almost to mad-
nesB ; the colonel possessed all the advantages of fortnne, but these
weighed little in his favour with tbe general (whose notions we have
eady proved very disinterested) and much lees with bis danp'l.tdr ;
. an the first overture about him slie re<|aested the subject mi^lit be
•ntirely d-opped, tlie mention of love was extreme!? pwnfnl to her
sroundod bi iior di>iiippoiiil>nen( in the •everwt manner, tier heart

hor; she now resolveil to iafiinn Fitzalaii she kjittw the baseness ct
Jiia coDiliict, and sting bis heart witb keen repronchoa, now rcsoived
to jia.-'s it over in silont coute[n)it; wliile thiia IlncCufttiiig the coloQel
eofti; advanced and stood before her ; in the tumult of her inind ahs
hail quite forgot tlio pntbobilily of his returning, (uid invoinntarily
Bcri'iiiaeil and started nt hiii nppcarance ; by her confusion, she
doubled not, bnt he would suspect her of liaviug pcrnsed the (kisl
letter; oppressed bj tlie idea, her head sunk on her bouoni, aiid Ler
face was covered with blushes. "What a careless fellow I am," said
the colouel, taking op the letter, which he then pretended U> perceive ;
he glnnced nt Adeln, " curse it I" continued he, " I woald rather have
had all the letters read than tlils one." lie suspects lue, thought
Adulo, her blusheii faded, and ahe fvll back i>u her !<eflt, nnabio to
BUpi>ort the oppressive i<1eA of bitvlug acted tigainst the rules of pro-
priclj ; IJolgrave flew to support her. " Lovelicat of women," he
ezciaJ4r.ed, witli nil the softness lie could assama, ''what means tliii
Bgitatlou ?" " I have been Buddeniy affected," answered Adela, n
little recovering, and rising, she motioned to retnrn to the houses
"Thus," resumed the eoloncl, "jou nlwaj-s fly me; but go, Uisa

P cB:i,ni,ENoiTni;*BBET. 128

pride ur^eH her to <i step vrtiic^li wnuld prove to Fitzalun his condnet
had Dol affected her: iha gnnernl rejoiued at obtaining her eonBent, '
and received a protnise tlmt for BOme time the nuuld not be eepo-
d from hiin. Tlie mogt splendid preparations were made for the
biptiala; but though Aikla'a resentment remaioed unabat«d, she
Nin beg&t] to wisb she bad Dot been so precipitate in obejing it- an
tvolantarj repagnnnce roee in lier mind against the cunnootiun site
m Abont forming, and honour alone kept ber from dacliniog it for
Her beloved friend, Urs. Uarluwe, suppurted her throagboot
ie trying oceasion, and in an inauspicions moment, Adela ga-ve her
tnd to the perfidious Belgrave.
^ AboDt a fortnight after her nuptials she beard from some of tlia
•i of Oscar'9 illness. She blushed at hie name. "Fuilli," cried
on« of them, " Mrs. Marlowe m a chanoing Woman ; it is well he got
into 8^<^h snog (luartcrs: I really believe elsewliere he would have
given np the ghost." " Poor fellow," sighed she heavily, yet without
being sensible of it. Belgrnve rose, he caught tier eyes, a dark frown
lowered on his brow, and lie looked as if be would pierce into tbe
KoDseea of her heart; she shuddered, and for the first time felt the
tyranny she had imposed upon herself. As Mrs. Marlowe chose to
t« titeut on the subject, she resolved not to mention it to her, but
■he sent every ilay to Invito her to Woodlawn, eipeeting by this to
hear something of Oscar, but she was disappointed. At tlie end of a
fortnight Mrs. Marlowe made her appearance; she looked pale and
thin. Adela gently reproved lier Ibr bcr long absence, trusting this
woold oblige her to allege the reason of it; but no such tiling. Hn.
I "Marlowe began to converse on indifTerent subjects: Adela suddenly
V peevish, and sullenly sat at her work.

1 a few days after Mrs. Marlowe's visit, Adolii, one evening iinme-

tely after dinner, ordered the carriage to tlia oittage. l(y tliis

i she snpiHised Oscar had left it, and flattered behsclf, in the

e of conversation, she should learn whether he was jHTfcerly

Mvered ere he dq>arted. Progioaing to Eurpriso her frii'iiil, ^he

B by a winding patli to the cottage, and softly openwl the [larlimr

1 bnt what were her feelings when she perc«ived Om-ht silting

_ _* the fire-side with Mrs. Marlowe, engncwl iii a deep ronvcrsaiiim '

obe stopped, unable to advaneo. rfrs. Marlowe cmbroci-'d and loJ

her fiirwnrd. The emotions of Oscar were cot inf«rii>r to Adela's;

134

be altemiitcd to ariso, bnt coiild not. A glance from tli« exi>rc'-^!v«
eyes of ilrs. Marlowe, wliicli seemed to conjure bim not to yield to A
weatnesa which would betray tiis real sentinieatB Ui Adelft, souiewhjit
reanimaltiii liim; he rose, aud trei]ibliD|;lj upproacLed her. "Allow
me, iiiadaju," cried he, " to " — The seutence died noflniahcd on liU
Iip9 ; he bad not power to ofTtr con p-atiiUl ions oo an event which
hud probdhly destroyed the bappiuesa of Adela as well as bis own,
"Obi a tnicti with conipliment«," said Mrtt. Marlowe, forcing herself
to assume a cheerful air; "pritliee, good folks, let ua be seated, and
eitjuy, this cold erentng, tbe comforts of a good fire." She fomed
the trembling, the almost fainting Adela to take some wine, sod, bj
degrees, tbe lluttor of her spirits and Osuar's abated; but tbe sadness
of their countenances, tbe anguish of their souls increased; the cold
formalitj, tlie distant reserve tliey both assumed, filled each with
sorrow and regret; so pale, eo emaciated, so wo-begoue did Pitzalaii
appear, so much the son of sorrow and despair, that, bad be half-
murdered Adela, abo could not at that moment have fi;!c for biu any
other sentiments tlian thoKe of pity and compassion. Mrs. Marlowe,
in a laughing way, told her of tlie trouble she hod had with him,

CHILDREN orTDBADBET. 125

trill Tsniab long before mjurcbnrd reaasumcs ita umiling appearance,
•nd liaplj attract another smart red-coat to visit an old wt>man."
*■ Oh 1 with wLat an enthusiasm of tendernep»," cried Osoar, ■• gliall I
ever remember the dear though dangerous mumont 1 6rst entered
tbia cottage'." "Now, no flatter;, Oscar," said Mra.Marluwe; "I
know 3rour fickle sex too well to buliere 1 hare made a deep impres-
■i.m ; why. the very first fine old woman you meet at your ensuing
<)uarter», wiLl, I dare tay, have similar praise bestowed on her " —
** No."' replied he, with a languid smile, '■ I can aesure you solemnly,
tlie impression wbioli has been made on my heart will never be
effaced." Ue stdle a look at Adela; her bead sunk npon her bosorn,
•nd her heart began to beat violently. Mrs. Marlowe wished to
cliange the subject entirely; she felt tlie truest coriipiiaaioD for the
unhappy young couple, and had fervently deaireit their Doiun; bul
■inoe irrevooably separated, she wished to clieck a'ly intiuiittiim of &
mutual attachment, which conld now answer no purpose but that of
Increasing their misery. Bhe rung for tea, aud onOeavoured by ber '
oonversinloD to enliven the tea-table. Tbe ellbrt, however, was not
seconded. "Ton have ofleu," cried phe, addresBing Adela, as tlicy
■gain drew their chairs round llie firo, " desired to hear tlia exact
particulars of iiiy life. Unconquerable feelings of regret hitherto
prevented uy acquiescing in your di^ire; but, as nuUiing better now
ofTeni fur passing away the hours, I will, if you please, relate thera."
"Yon will oblifg ine by so doiug," cried Adela j "my curiosity, yoo
taow, Ima been ciciied."

CUAPTEK Xin.

To begin then, oa they say in e novel, without ftinhpr prefncy.
was ihe only child of a country curate, in Ihe Mnlliorn pari <,I
Gugland, who, like his wife^ wns of a good but reduced family.

Contorted dispositions, and an agreeable neighbourhood, randy «mi
<^very uuciuiun to oblige them, rendered them, in their humbla
Bilualjoii, cuiaplctelj happj, I iras the idol of both their heart*.
Every one lold my mother 1 should gruw up a beauly. and she. poor
flimple woman, believed the flattering tale ; naturally ambitious, and
nomewhnt romantic, she expected nothlog teas than nty attaining by
my ctinrms bo elevnied situation ; to fit me for it, therefore, according
to her idea, she gave mc all the showy, instead of solid, adraotagea
of education ; my father being a meek, ur rather an indolent man,
submitted entirely to her direction : tfans, witbeut knowing tbo
Iframmaticol part of my own language, I was tangl.t *o gabble bad
Fri.'n<.'h by herself, and instead of mendiug or making n.y clotheis to
lioiirish upon culgut and embroider satin; 1 was taught dai^eing by
u MiHii iiJio kept a chenp school for that purpose in liie Tillage;
luusii: I could iu>[ a-'inre to, my mother's finances being insufficient to
I'DTL'liaie an instrnmeut; she was therefore obliged to content herself
Willi my knowing t!io vocal part of that delightful science, and
i;uitructed me in singing a few old-fo^LioQcd airs, with a thousand
graces^, in her ojiinion at IciLst.

J make ma excel by my drpsp, i» well as my accomplish irienta.

jUw pklinuiioD of Diy lieort nt Lin approucb: oi-cry girl expurieiiced
tin- aemo, ercry diuek w.ib flu.'!ieil, ni>il averj eye spnrkleil with Lop«
■rd expectation, IJu wuikwl rouiiJ tbe rtwiii *il.li aii easy and
uiienibBrrassed air, u if to taken siirvi-y of tlie siniipsD]'; Le stopped
by a very prelty girl, Uie railler's dangiiiur. Good Leuvcns! what
yren my agonies; my mother too, wlio eat b««itl<: iite, birncd pnie,
aud would actually, I Lielieve, hnve f4ilDted, liad La taken any lortlier
notice of liei'. Fortunately he did not, but advaBced; my eyea
cunglit his; be again paosed, looked cmrpi-tsed and pleased, and, after

■ inonient ];ik?sod in seeming consideration, bowed with the ntmost
cleganoe, aud rei^QeBted tbe bononr of my hand for the ensuing danca.
My politeness had hitherto been only in theory ; I arone, dropped
hitn a profound courtoiy, a«snred him the honour would be all d

I my aide, «nd 1 was happy to grant his reqnest. He Bniile<^ thought
ft little ofulily, and conglied to avoid iaiigliiog. I bliialieil, and felt
eiiibarrassecl, but he led mo to the bead of the room to call a donco,

< snd my trinmpli over my conipuuioDd so eihilurated my spiiila, t
J immediately lost all cuiifuaioii.

1 bod been engaged lo a yoitiig liii'incr, ai:d ho was enraged, not
Auly at my breaking my engi^iuent without his permission, but at

' the superior grai'es of my partner, who threatened to be a formidable
rival to Iiiia. "By jingo;" swd Clod, coming up to me in a aurly
mauner, " I think, Miw Fanny, yon lutve not used me genteelly ; T
don't see wjiy this berelitio spark should lake the h-att of us a.

I "Cr«iiure!" cried I. with an ineilablo look ui ooiitcn.pt which ha
C'lld not bear, and retired fnuublinfi;. Uj partner could uo longer
TOfrai;) IWtm laughing ; the .'invplicity of my mnnuere, notwitli-
dlanding the airs I (^udcavou^ed to assume, highly delighted him.

■ •■No •■onder,'' wied he, "'the poor swain sliouid be mortified at
'lobing the band of his ciiarmiog Fanny."

'fbe dancing over, we rcjoiaed iny mother, who was on Iborns ta
-begin a canveraatioii with the stranger, that alio inigbt let hintltn
we were not to be ranked Willi the present company. " I am si
' tir," said she, "a evntlcman of your elegwit appearance miiat i
rather awkward in tlie present party; it is so with m, aa indeed it
u.iist bo with evury person of fashion ; but in on obscum Utile villa^
I tike this, « u muet nut be loo nice in our society, except like n hermit,
weoiinld do wlihout any." Tlie slinngcr oMcctoil lo whiilcver

Baiit, and accepted an iovitatina to sup nith us; my mother insUntl;
RCiit an iutiniation of her will to my father, to have, not the rBttr>d
calf iadeeJ, but the fatted duck prepared : aod he and the maid used
sucli eipodilion, that hy the time we returned, a neal, oiniiftirUihla
snpper wm ready to lay on the table. Mr. Marlowe, the Btranger's
name, as !ie iufonned as, was all aniiuatiun and affiihility ; it is
uunecosaary to say thai my mother, fatlier, and myself, were nil ooiii-
plaiiiance, delight, and attention. On departing, he asked, and
obttuneU permifision of conrsa to renew his risit next day, and mj
raotln>r immediately Bet him down as her fiitnre son-in-law.

As everything is speedily communicated in such a small village as
WQ resided in, wo learned, on the preceding evening he had Btopped
at the inn, and hearing music, lie hod iniinlred from whence it pro-
Qec<lei1, ^d had gone oat of cnrio«ty to the dance; we also learned
that his aliuiidants rejx>rted him to l>e heir to a large fortune. This
report, vain as I was, was almost enough of itself to engage mjr
heart. Judge then, whether it was not an ea^y conqnest to a person
who, hesides Ilio ahove meutioDed attraction, poesesscd those of a
gritcefii! figure and cultivated ruiiid. IIu visited contiaually at our

Uifartanatc Tanit^' bt^trnyod tlie secret it iras eo nmterLnl for me to
uep; I burnpd inili'cJ tu njveaJ it; ono morning a yuuu^ ;;irl, itlio
nd bcea aa iotimaM ocr[uaiataDco of mine lill I luew Murluwe,
■ICO to see me : " Why Faacf," cried she, " you bave given m all up
M Ur. Unrlowe ; tuke ciire, my denr, Jie niukes yuu amende tbr the
JEMB of aU jour friends." "I sJiall take yoor advice," eiaid I, with a
jpi]l« and a conueited tuss of my head. "Futfa, for my part," cou-
iniied she, "I think you were very foolish ont ti> secure a good
Mtlement for yonrself with Clod." " With Clod !" re[>«ute<l I, with
lie ntmoBt haughtiness; " Lord, child, yoa forget who I ami" " Whw
ttvyonl" exclaimed she, provoked at my insolence; "oh ym I to ha
be I forget tltst you are the daughter of a pour country caruti%
rith more pride in your head thao money in your jinrse." " Neither
fc I forget," said I, " that your ignorance is equal to your iniperti-
Mnce. If I am the daughter of a poor country curate, I am the
UBsnced wife of a rich moo, and as much elevated hy expectutiou, aa
biriti, above you." Our conversation wns repeated throughout tha
Bulage, and reached the eara of Harlowe'a attendant, who instaully
nreloped the real motive whicli detained him eo long in the village;
H wrote to hia uncle an account of the whole affair. Tlie conse-
penoe of this waa a letter to poor Marlowe, full of the bitterest
igtroacliea, cliarging Liui, without delay, to return homo. Tliia wai
|k< a Ihunderslrolte to us all, but there was no alternative between
weying, or forfeiting his uncle's favour. "I fear, my dear Fanny,"
■ied he, tta he folded me to his bosom, a little before his departure,
Fjt will be long ere we shall meet ag^n : nay, I also fear, I ehoU W
jUiged to promise not to write ; if both tliese fears are realized,
npnte not either absence or siienca to a want of the tendcr&st
BKtion for you." He went, and with him all uiy Lap|iineHB. Uy
■other, shortly after his departitre, was attacked by a nervous feriT,
Hiiuh tcrmioated lier days; my thther, naturally of wea!; i]iirit6aud
pUeatc constitution, was so shocked by tlie sudden deatli of his
muiett and fuithAd companion, that he sunk ben<jath his grief. Tlie
Frnm of my mind I cannot describe; I seemed to stand atnuc in tht
n>rlil, without one friendly hand to prevent my sinkiag into tha
Mve, wliicli cnntjdaed the dearest objects of my love. 1 did not
umr where Marlowe live'l, Bod, even if I had, durst not venture an
B|.hMti.in. nl.i.-h .itii,'lil Ijo iIi« tnenti* of niinins t-im. Tlie f-U^m of

my npighboars 1 had forfeited by my conceit ; they paid no attention
but wlint cammun humanity dictated, merely to prevent my periah-
ing ; and thnt the; mnde me i^enHiblj feel. In thia dlstrca^ I received
AH invitation from a school* fellow of mine, who had maj-rieil it rich
amier, about forty miles from onr village, to take np my residcnc«
■with her, till 1 was anlHciently recovered to fii on some plan for
fhtnre Bubsislence. I gladly accepted the nlTer, and afler paying a
Airewell visit to the grave of my regretted parents, I set off, in th«
cheapest conveyance I could find, to hci liahitatioD, with all my
wordly treasure packed in a portmanteau.

With my friend I trusted I should enjoy a ealra and hopjiy asylam,
till Marlowe was able to fulfil his promise, and allow me to reward
her kindnesa ; but this idea she scon put lo flight, by informing me,
U roy health rettimed, I most tliiok of some method for supporting
niysclf. I started, as at the ntter annihilation of all my hopes, for
vain and ignorant of the world, I imagined Marlowe would never
think of me, if once die^graced by servitude. I tu)d her 1 nnderstood
but little of anything, except faney work; she was particularly glad,
she said, to hear 1 know that, ns it would in all probability, gain

CntLDRE\ OF Tfll ABBEr. Ul

fDmml plantatioDB ; two aUtueB, aa&t id the Bamc mould, and raaem'
bling DotbinK either in beaven, earth, or tea, stood grinning horriblj
upon the pillars of a miteBir gute, as if to guard the entrance from
KtepertiDeDt iotruBion. On knocking, an old porter appeared. I gftTS
m my mriuiagf, but he, like (he atatues, eecmed BtalionHr;, ind
Wld not, I believe, have ntirred from his situation to deliver ut
DbniiBj from the king ; ho called, however, to a domestic, nbo hap
ining to be a little deaf, waa full half an hour before he heard him
.1 IBi^t I WM ijihered up stairs into an apartment, from the heat of
e might have conjectured it was under the torrid zone;
longh in the middle of Jul;, a heavy hot fire burned in the grat«; A
lick carpet, representing birds, beasta, and flowers, was spread OH
te floor, ood the windows, closely serewed down, were heavy with
ood-work, and darkened with duet; the master and mistress of llie
IBnsion, like Derby and Joan, sat in arm chairs on each aide of the
re; three dogs and as many cats slumbered at tbeir feet; be was
■ning on a spider table, pouring over a Toluminous book, and she
w atitching ■ conuteqione. Sickness and ill-nature were visible ia
Ji ooonteuance, "Sol" said she, raising nhiige pair of speotaclus at
If eatntnce,Budeiainini[igmerrom headtofoot, "ytiu arecomu&\»n
[n. Wilson's: why, bltr^ me, rl'Kl, you are quite too young for any
uinesa — prny what Is your iiHiut-, and where did yon co(ne frorat"
ir>» preiiareil for tiiese quention^, and told her tlie truth, only con-
BtJiog my real name, and the place of my nativity. " Well, let me
I thoM works nf jour«i," cried she. I produced them and tJiQ
peotodes were again drawn down. " Why, they are neat enough, to
• sore," said she, " but the design is bad, very hod indee<l : there is
itel there ts execntion!" directing me to some pictnrea in heavy
It frames, hung round the room. I told her, with sincerity, I had
irer seen any thing like them. "To be sure, child," exclaimed she;
eased at what she considered admiration in me, "'tis numiog a
eat risk lo take yira, but if yon think you cnn coiifonn tc the regu-
SonB of my house, I will fkim compasaion, and as yon are reconi-
iended by Mrs. Wilson, venture to engage you ; but remember, I
)Ht have no gad-ahont, no fly-flapper, no cluillerer in my family ;
D toast be decent in your dresa and carriage, discreet in your words,
iduatrlona at your work, and satisfied with the indulgence of foiog
jchnrolionSnniiuy." I. saw I was about enteringon a painful servi
ide. hut the idet of it* being nwretaued by tlie »vki'(u1V\'^ q^ >Lu-

lowc. a little rccooclled ma to it. On promiainj^nll she desired, everjr-
thing vta settled for m; admiMiou into her familj, nnd ebe look care
1 should perform the promises I inado her. I shall not recapitulat«
the Tarlous trials I underwent from her BUfit«ritj and pecvishnusB;
suffice It to en;, mj patience, as w«ll as taste, undenrent a pi^rfect
miirtirrdom. I was continuallj seated at a frame working; pictures
of her owTi inTention, which were everything that was hideous in
nature. 1 wad never allowed to go out, eicept on a Sunday to church,
or on a thaucB evening when it wan too dark to distinguidli colours.

Marlowe was absent on m; entering the fajnily, nor durst 1 oak
when ho was expected. My health aod spirits grodu&lly decUncd
from my close confioement; when allowed as 1 have before eoid a
ohanee time to go out, instead of enjoying tlie fresh air, I sat doim
to weep over scenes of former happiness. 1 dined constantly with bha
old housekeeper. Slie informed tne, one day, tliat Mr. Marlowe, her
master's young heir who had been absent some time on a visit, vas
6i|iected Lome on the ensuing day. Fortunately the good dame waa
too busily eni|iloyeU to notiee my aptation. I retired as soon aa poa-
sible from the table, in a state of indesci-ibable pleaiinre. Never
shall 1 forL'ut my emotions wlien I hennl the trampling of his horse'*

cniLDBis or rum jcb«t. 133

^embling Qiouae, The raptures the old lodj eiprcucU at accing her
It derign bo ftblj executed encouraged me to ask pcrmisKino M
amWoidor a picture of my own designing, for irhioh I had oilks Ijing
b; mo. Sb* complied, and I sat about it witli alaccitjr. I copied mjr
bee and figure u eiactlj as 1 could, acid iu moumiog draperj and
ft peneive altitude, placed the litUe image hj a ru»tic grave in tha
dinrcL yard of mj native village, at tbe bead of wiiiuh, tiolf eiubow-
lend in treea, sppe&red tbe lowly cottage of iny departed paronU;
&e well-kouwn objects, I thoQgbC, would revive, if indeed she waa
ftbs«nt from it, the idea of |>Dor Fanny io the mind of Uarluwe; I
preseoled tbe picture to my mistress, who was i>lcased with the pres-
ent, and promised to have it trained. Tbe next day, wliile I sot at
' dioDer, the door suddenly opened, and Uarlowe entered the room. I
ILought I sboidd have fainted ; my companion dropped her knife and
ibrk, with great precipitation, auU Marlowe told ber he was very ill,
■nd wauled a cordial from ber. She rose with a dissatisiivd air to
comply with bis request He, taking this opportunity of approaobing
ft little nearer, darted a glance of pity and tenderness, and solely wliis-
pered. "To-oight, at eleven, meet me iu the front parlour." Y<iu may
conceive bow tArdily the hours passed till the apiHiinted time came,
when stealing to the parloar, I found Uarlowe expecting me ; ba
folded me to liia heart, and hia tears mingled v-Uli nunc, as 1 relutod
my mcbinuholy tide. "You are now, tny Fanny,' lie cried, "entirely,
minel dcprivedof the protection of your tender jioitiita, I sballendea^'
our U> fulfil the sacred trust tbey reposed ia my bonour, by securing
iDiD« to you, as far osIil'j in my power. I wosiiotiiiistakeu," conlin-
oed h«, "in the idea I bail formed of the treatment 1 bbould receive
Irom my flinty-beorted relations on leaving yon. Had I not promised
to drop all corresixiudence with you I must have r('tiuqui^bud all
bopca of tlieir favour. Bitter indeed," cried he, while a tear started
in bis eye, "is tbe bread of dependenoe; ill contd my soul sub-
mit to llie indiguities I received ; but I consoled myself through-
out Uieiti, by the idea of ftitnre happiness with my Fanny, Had I
known ber situation (wliicb indeed it was impossible I should, aa my
cnctu's Hpy attended iito wlierever 1 went,) do dictate of pntdeoct
would have prevented my flying to her aid!" " Thank lieavca, then,
you were ignorantiif il," «tid I. "Jty aunt," be proceeded, "sliowed
lue yiur work, IsTisbirig IliS bitbesl eni-oitiiiiini on it. I glsuwl mj

134 caiLDEiM or tbi asset.

eje cnrelaBslj upon it, but in » inoment, how wu tbat careless eyt
sttrtwoted by tlie wel!-knowD objecta presnnted to it I This, I said t
my heart, can only be Faonj'g work. I tried to discoTor from mj
KUDt vhelher nij conjectures irere vrong, but nithoat encceM.
When I retired to dress, 1 aaked my Herrnnt if there had been any
addition (o the fiimily during my ahsence. ile auld a young iroman
iros hired to do fine norks, hut she never appeared auiuog tha

Marlowe proceeded to say, "bo could not bew I should longer
oontiune in servitude, and that wilhoDt delay he was reaolved to
unite Jiia fate to miue." I opposed this resolotion a little, bnt soon,
too self-ill ttret-t«d I fear, acqoiesced in it. ll was agreed I should
inform his aunt my health would no lunger percnit my cuotiiining in
her family, and that I shoold retire to a village six milaa o^ where
Uartowe undertook to bring a yonng clergyman, a partioular friend
of his, to perforin the (ceremony. Our |>lun, as settled, w^s carried
>ntO execution, and 1 became the wife of Horlowe. I was now, you
will suppose, elcvate<l to the pinnacle of iiappiness. I was so, itideed,
Liut my own folly iireciii'lated me from it. The secrecy I win imiiii«
pelled to Observe nmrlilied nie exceedingly, aa 1 panted to emerge

T

EN- OF THE ABB tr. 135

iBpIetely, by asEuming nil the sire I had heretofore bo ridiuuloUBl;
~: to; lolling in my chnir, with nn air of the moft careless indjf'
I I bid her no longer peirifj nie with her discourse. Thi«
d all tJie violonee of rage, aud she plainly told me, " from my
rt with Murlown, I wna unworthy her nutit'e." " Therefore,"
i I, forgetting every dictate of prudence. " hia wife will neither
n future." " His wife 1 " site repeated, with
I look of seorti and incredulity. I proilnced lie certificate of my
Miriago: Ihos, from an impnlue of vanity and resen Im en t, putting
i\{ ID tbe power of a woman, a stranger to every liberal fueling,
whose mind wsa inSamed witli envy towards me. The hint 1
reed myself at parting to givo her, to keep the affair a secret, only
Keruiincd her innro strongly to reveal it. The day after ber visit
arlowe entered my appartincnt. Faic, agitated, and hreathleea, be
tnk into H chair; a pang like conscioas guilt smote my heart,
[ I trembled os I approacljed him. Ue repulsed me when I
impted to touch his liand; "Cruel, inconsiderate woman," he
said, "to what drcadl\il lengths has yonr vanity hurried you, it has
ilratm destruction njion yonr bead as well as mine." SImme and
remorse tied my tongne; had I spoken, indeed, I could not have fin*
[floated myself, and I turned aside and wept. Marlowe, mild, tender,
HBd adorin;,', could not longer retain resentment ; ho started from hia
Hfa^r, and clasped ine to his bo»oin. "Oh Fanny!" lie cried,
HPtliongh yon liave mined mc, yon are still dear as ever to me." —
Hpis tenilomeBS aileoied ine oven more than rcproaclict, and tears and
Hilgbs declared my penitence. Uis expectations relative to his uncle
Bfcere Bnally de«troreil on being informed of our marriage, which Mrs,
RVilliion lost no time in telling him. He barned bis will, and immedi-
■Aaly modu another in favour of a distant relation. On hearing this
^fttelligeiico, I was almost distracted; I flung my.-«lf at my husband'e
Bket, imploring bis pardon, yet declaring I could never forgive
Bbyself. He grew more composed npon tbe inoroafo of uiy agitation,
^b if ptirposely to suotlie my »pirit«, assuring mo that, though liis
Bj^tde's favor v/aa lost, he bad other friends on whom he greatly
^■^wDded. We set off for London, and fonnd bis dependence was not
B9 ptno^d : for soon after our arrival, bti obti^ned n [il^toe of eonsidcra*
■b emoluDient in one of the public offices. Uy hnsbnnd dclight.^d in
Bk>l>li''"B ""-'i U'cngli I ^1^ "11';" t'vlli I'xtravfigiini umi wLinL-ieal, auj

13iJ

l[ ILD

n F TUB

n D esr

almost ever ou tbo map for admiration and aunuernent. 1 Hm reck-
ODud a pretty womaQ, and recuived ivitli rupture die uo&seiiDe acd
aduIntioD addreased to me. I bocaice acquainted with ayonng-widoi»
wbo concealed a depraved heart onder a specious appeoniQcu of iiuii-
c6Qc« and virtue, and, by aiding the vieeB of oOiem pnicured 1I14
iiieaos of gratifying her own : yet bo secret were all lier transaclions,
timt calumny liad not y«t attacked her, and her house was the
rt'odeiTOUa of the most faahionable [jeople. My husband, who did
not dislike her manner, encouraged our intimacy, and at her partieit I
was noticed by a young nobteman tlien at the head of tlie ton ; ba
declared 1 was one of the most cliamiing olijecta he had ever belield,
and, fur anch a declaration, I tIiODj2;]it Iiim tlie most polile 1 had ever

known ; as Lord T condescended to wear my chains, I must

certainly, I thought, bocnmo quite the rage, Ky transports, howovor,
were a little checked by the grave remonstrances of my huslMind, who

assured me Lord T was a famous, or rather an infamons, liberUnei,

and that, if I did not avoid hiH lordship's particular attentiona, ha
miwt insist on my relinqniahing tlie widow's society. This I thought
cruel, hot I saw him reeoluie and promised to ad as be desired;

ing.

iltiee ofton fell astnnished ot the cold indifference with which I
repirdcl MarloTTfl am! onr lovely baLe, on Trliom he dimted with all
the enthusianin of tenderness: stafi ! vatiitj h&d then Khearbod nij
henrt, nnd deadened every feeling of nature and ecnsibititT ; it is
the parent of self-love and upathj, and degrades those who harbour
it below hninnnity.

L'lrd T — now returned from tlie continent, lie swore my idea
hiid never been absent from his mind, and that Itras more charming
Ih&u ever; while I thunght him, if possible, more polit« and engag-
Again my husband remonatrated ; sometimes I seemed to
ird these remonstrances, Bometirnes protested that I would not
to such iinuecea^ary control ; 1 knew, indeed, that my inien-
ere innocent, and I beliered I tniglit safely Indulge my vanity,
irltboutr endangering either my reputation or peace. About this
time Mariovre recoiveii a finnimona to attend a dying friend some
miles from London ; oar little girl was llien in a slight fever, which
had alarmed her father, and conflned me, most nnwiUingly, 1 mast
the house. Mnrlowe, on the point of parting, pressed me
at. "My heart, my beloved Fanny," swd he, "feels nnn-
ly heavy; I trnst the feeling is no prefontiraent of approaching
Dl. Oh I my Funny, on you and my babe I rest for happiness ; taka
care of our little chemh, and above all (liis meek eye encoontering
mine) of yoniself, that, with accustomed rapture, I may, on m;
return, receive you to my arms." There was aomething so solemn,
and so tender in tills address, tliat my heart melted, and my tear*
mingled with those which trickled down Lin pale cheeks. For
two days I attended my child aHsidaouHly, when the widow made
faer appearance. She assnred mo, I should injure myself by such
,doae confinement, and that my cJieeks were already faded by it; she
itjoncd B delightful masquenuie which was to be given that night,
which Lord T — had preseuled her witli tJokets for me and
iif ; hot she dealarod, eioept I would aecompany her, she would
o, I had often wislied to go to a masquerade ; I now, however,
leO this opportunity of gratifying my inclination, but so fuiitly
prompt a renewal of her solioit&tions, to wluch I at lait yielded,
wmniitling mj habe to the care of a servant, set oft with th»
IT tu a warehonse lo choose dreiwes. Ij>rd T — dined with lu,
I* were all in the Iiighost spirits iniSKinaMe. Abont t*i>lve w*

138 ctm-uasii or tbb AXAxr.

weat in liiji cbariot to the Uajmorket, nnd I was absolutelv intoiU

rated with bis Batter;, and the dottling objeclfl around me. At Gra
ne qaittGd tha ecene of gaietj ; the nidtm took a choir; I would
have r<)lloired her eiample, but m; lord abaalutely lifted me into hia
chariot, aad there began talking m a alraio nhiub pruroked my coo-
Umpt, and excited m; apprehousiona. I expreaeed m; diepleaaura
iu terms which checked his huIdneEH, and oonvincod him he had some
ilifljcuhiea jel to overcome, ere he completed hie deeigng; he made
liis apolo^es with au much liurr)ility, that I was soon appeai^cd anil
pi-evailcfl on t<) accept them. We arrived at tlii^ widow's house iu
lis much liarmony as we loft it; the flags were wet, and Lord T —
iuaisled on carrying me into tlie house. At the door I observed a
uiau lanffled up, bnt as no one noticed him, I ttiought no mora aboot
it. We aat duwn to supper in high spirita, and chatted for a eon-
tlderuble time abimt our piut aniu.°emeiiU. ILi^IoriLdiip said, "after
a little sleep, we should recruit ourselves by a pk-asnat jiiiint to Sicli-
inond, where he had a charming villa." We agreed to Lis propOEtiL,
and I'etired to rest; about noon we arose, anil while I was drewing
luyscif for Uie jirojected excursion, a letter was brouglit iu to me. —
'• Good I/jrd ! Halcot," exelainied I, tai'uing to the widow, " If Mar-

^DOlW I Could Dot

■ lltUt bib^ InMua of bting mUmd lo bxllh bj > Botliff'f aw, nnri)' niplh

'banUHllrniiliiiulIar pualCD hul lulKUnJ, I IVtt Ibtt, irUbDDI 7*1 •Inmgn

HT, Ibroagb jroui jiilJ)' raund till I nw jou boon In tb> uiiit ot Ih* >lle Lord
till bnuH of hit ti]« pinmaDF. Yoa win vi»ii)i>r. pirliKpi. I dy nol lur tdb
(Tup. OoBld Foch ■ prnrMiir* bin nsUnvd you to mo nub ml! foor uniulllfd
I, I ihaoM not hiTi beijuuil. bni tbit >•■ loipiivlbl*: ind miiM itu th*a

Bd br cvo, whdfl joar nit Is enfeebled bj dt

1 In tbs G

1, uid mjtjr jod j^et five Jnjr to tbe a&fels of boitTea, who, we jirg tiqght
lo bdlere. Fcloico OTcrlbun th4t An Imlf rcptnuotl TLfet wiat tUculd itrtir no thoru
In ibe paib of p<qiwii». mil tbit I coiilil likt rroni aj bibe I have lulpicd to jou. Oh I

liwt, (re iparcd tbo hlllcr lor ot uiulita neb u I aim ibid. ud. er« too latt. oipliM
Tour irron. In the i>olIti»l> to iriUcb I un hulcDlni, I ibill codiIdubU} tnv I'" y"^

(or tb« mntlo ol ow H ntv. Ilnge lU InisoiHiiii coonlenincs. Utj Uw ilMerll]' o'
joor npentuin nMorv^thu pqAC« ud brlghtncu to jour life, vbleli, ml jtrenent. I Ihlpl
f ounuBt bAvo fDrf^lmt. odeI support fou wllb fori Iriule through lU clD«lDg period I A* h
frIoDdi DDoe dear, fou vHI crer fxln In Uie mcmorr of

MAMtowt"

As I concluded tlie U-tter, my npirits, 'wliiub hud been gradunllj
receding, entirely rwrsook idp, and I Ml »euBoIo»s on tlie fliwr. Mrs.

lldlcot and Lord T took thla opportunity of gmtifying tlielf

fiirio«ily by perusing the letter, and, when I recovered, I found
niywilf aupporttd between tlieiu. " You aee, my dear oniiel," cried

I^nl T , "yonr erne) luiRlinnd lias Bbandoned you: bnt grifvo

ni>l. fur in my arms yon shoU find u kinder aaylum than he evur

• Horded you." "True," said Mrs. Uulcot, "for my parti tliink Bh»

lia» r«i«in to rejoice at his desertion."

I shall not attempt 'a repeat all I said to lliom, in the height of my

Wiiulion ; snfliL'o il to say. 1 rerroaplic^ 'honi iK-th ns Ihe outhon

140 cBiLDKBD or Tns AlBir.

of Toj ahamo and miaerj, and while I Bpnmed Lord T indignaatlT

from my feet, accused Mrs. Hali-ot of puBBeaeiog neither delicacj nor
feeling. Alaal nccuEation or reproach could not lighUin^ie weight
on my heart. I felt a dreadful coDBciousnoss of having oooiuiiotied mj
on-Q misery ; I eeomed as if awakening from a disordered dream,
Trbich had confused my senses: and the more clearly my perceptioiL
of whnt was right returned, the more bitterly I Imneuted ray devitt-
lion from it : to be reinstated in tho esteem and nSection cf ic.y
bi^abaod was oil the felioi'y t ci>Tt1J desire to possesa. Full of the
idciL of being able to elFect a Tec inciliatioo, I started op, but ere I
reached the door snok into an 8gi>ny of (cars, recollecting that ere thld
he was probably for distant from me. My base companions tried to ■
assuage my griel^ a&d moke me in reality the wretch poor Uarlowe
supposed ine to be. I heard them in silent contempt, unable to move,
till a servant informed me a gentleman below Bt^rs desired to see ine.
The idea of a relenting husband instantly occurred, and I flew down-,
but how great wa8 ray disappointment oidy t« see a particular frii;nd
of his I our meeting was piunful in tlie extreme. 1 a'ked )iim if be
know any thing of Marlowe, and ho solemnly assured me be did not.
coufuaion and distress bail a litllo subsided, lia

141

from imprudence, but the conimon vbisiitudeB of life, was bone

withuut Ihsl degree of anguiah mioe nccaaiuned. As the period

opproaehed for her return to her native cciuntrj, I felt the deepest

regret at the prospect of our aeparntion, which she, however, remiiTed,

br o-iking me to reside eotirel; n-ith her. Eight years had elapsed

aiuee tlia lou of my hu band, nod no latent hnpe of liia retom

niialtied in niY heart Baffioiently strong to tempt me to forego the

■•dTontages of such Hociety. £ru I departed, buwever, I wrote to

B-^veral of his friends, informiug them of the step I intended taking,

■Aid, if any tidings of Marlowe occurred, where I was to he I'ound.

Kjlve years 1 pasaed with iny valuable frieud in retirement, and had

B jileaiiiirB of Uiiiiking I liad wmtributod lo the ease of her loat

■Itionienls. This cottage, with a t«w acres of^uinlng it, and four

Inndretl puimd», wa.s all her vveidlh, and to tne slie bequeathed it,

htvittg DO relations whose wants gave them auy cluni upon her.

lUta I have just related will, 1 hojie, streugtben the moral
) many wish to impress upon the ndnds of youth, namely, that
pthont a Elrict adherence to pnipriety, liiero can be no permanent
ire; and that it is the actions of early life must give to old aga
' b.ippineBS and comfort, or sorrow aud remorse. Hod I
anded to the admonitions of wisdom and esjierience, I should havo
Bcbed my wanderings fron] prudence, and preserved my happiness
Mm being sacrificed at the shrine of vanity; then, instead of being
> solitary being in the world, 1 might have had my little tireade
enlivened by Ihe partner of my heart, and, perhaps my children's
children sporting around; but suffering_,is tbe proper tax we pay for
. ifUj. The frailty of Iium^ nature, tlie prevalence of example, the
iDorements of the world, are mentioned by many as oitennations for
wndoct. Though virtne, say they, is willing, she is often too
[, to resist the wishes they excite. Mistaken idea; and blessed
t that virtue which, by opposing, ends theml With every templ*-
u we have the means of escnjiu ; woe be to us if we aeg!eet those
r hesitate to disenlnngie ourselves from tlie aQiires which
vice or foUy may have spread around ns. Sorrow and disappointment
are incident to mortality, and, when not occasioned by any coiisciona
imprudence, should be considered as temporary trials from heaven to
ive and correct ns, and therefore cbeerftiUy lo be home." A
|dgli stole frum 0»^ar as sb^ (poke, and a tear trickled down the soft

oheeli of Adola. "I have," continued Mrs. Marlowe, "given you,
like an old woman, a tedious talc ; but that tcdiousnens, vrith eveiy
other imperfection I huve acknavileilgod and ma; betray, I ra«t upim
your fiiendship and candour to eicuse."

OHAPTEH XIV.

Denied hv ilibt, Ik onei cr

Thi night ^T^a waning fast, tiiid Adi-Oa ro^e la depart as lier friena
concluded her ptory r yet it ri^cniircil mi oft'ort of resi>h:tion to rt'tir-.
Kra. Marlowe, bowever, was too well convinced of the eijicdicncy
«nd propriety of ihis to press her longer stay, though the eycj of
Oscar, suddenly turned to lier, seemed to entreat she wotild do su.

B view of bar pale lively cheeks, and he saw she was wMping,
Ciiuruied at ihe idea oT belriijing her distress, she nrerted her head
and httstilj ascended the iteps; jet, for B. mument, her trembling
hand rested upon Oscar's, hs if, in this niHancr, ahe would hare given
tiie adieu Kbe had nut the power of pronnuneing. Lost in Bgotijr, bo
remained like a statue on the spot whore she had left him, till roueed
by the friendly TOico of Mrs. llatlowc, who, alarmed by his long
absence, eame lo E««k liim. Soothed by her kind eolicitnde, be
directly returned with her to the honae, where Mb indignatjon against
the perjidioiis Belgrade again broke furtb. He execrated him, not
ooly as the destroyer of hia peace, bat a peace iufluitely more
precious than his own, that of tlie charming Adda.

Mrs. Marluwe essayed every art of consolation, and, by sympathy
and mildness, at lost subdued the violence of hia feelings ; she
ackuowtedged the loss ho sustained in being deprived of Adela, bur,
siiioe irrevocable, both viilne and reason required him to struggle
against his grief, and conceul it ; by their sacred dictates she entreated
bjni to avoid seeing Adela. Ue felt she was right in tlie entreaty,
and sotenmly promised to comply with it ; her friendship was balm
Ui Ids wonnded heart, and her sueiety the only pleasure he was capa-
ble of enjoying; whenever he couM abaenC himself from tjuarters,
he retired to her, and frequently spent three or fonr days at a time
in her cottage. By discontinuing his visits In the gay neighbour*
hood of Woodlawn, he avoided all opportunities of seeing Adelo,
ytrt oflen on a clear, frosty nijj;lit has he stole IVom the fireside of
Ura. Marlowe, to the beloved and beautil^l haunts about tlie hike,
w|]ei'e be and Adela post so many hnjipy hours together; here he
indulged iu all the loiury of woe, and snch are the pleasures of
vinuouB melancholy, tliat Oscar would not have resigned them for
lUiy of Llie common-place cnjoymenta of life.

t Often did ha wander t't tiio i!ro>e, ti'om wlience he had a view of
lek's chamber, and if a lucky chance gave bim a glimpse of her,
■be passed tliMogh it, a sndden ecstasy wonld pervade hU bosom;
weiild pray for her felicity, and relnm to Uis. Marlowe us if his
heart was lightened of an oppressive M'eigbt. Tliat tender friend
Dattered licrsel^ A'om youth, and the natural gaiety of his dispoaition,
is attachment, no longer fed by hope, would gradually deduie ; but
mistaVen : the bloom of bis youlh wa" faded, snd bii gsiptj

lliousuud or two lu belp llie prumutiuii uf Ojcnr. Uulj^raTa, wba
coulil uut bear that Uie nian vriiora he had injured sliould have a
chance of obtaimog equal rank with himself^ op|>oaed this tni^
^ii(>rou£ desigD, bjr saying, Oscar was tali-JD Quder the patronnge of
Loril CUcrhnry, and tbat the general's bonnty might therefore, at
iouie future period, be better applied In Berving a person without bis
interest. To this the genf ral assented, declaring, " that he never yet
met with a brave soldier, or his ofbpring, in distrosa, without feeling
and au^wcriag the claim they had upon his heart."

Osi;iir obtwaed a ready promise ftom lire, itailowe of correepond-
ing with him ; be blushed and faltered, as he besought her soni^
tim^s to acquaint hiro with the health of their frionda at Wnudlawu.

ChoDge of scene prodooed no alteration in him; still pining with
regret, and langnid from ill health, his father and 9lst«r found him.
The comfurtfi of sympathy could not be his, as the angmish which
preyed opon his heart he conajdirfldof too sacred a nature to divulge,
he hoarded up his grief like a miser lioflrdiug uji his treasure, feariiU
that the eye of suspicion should glance at it ; as he pressed his lovely
eister to his heart, had ho imagiiied she was the object of Colcitel

¥

datiotu of WBT, as well aa time, ware discemibla on its exterior ; some
of its lofty batll^meTiIa were broken, sad others mouldering [o deaij,
while about its anciuol towers,

¥

It stood upon a rocky eminenca overhanging the seo, aud com-
msndiDg a delightfal prospect of llie opposite coaat of Scotland;
aboQt it were yet to be traced irregular tbrtiflcations, a raoat, and the
remains of a draw-bridga, with a welL long since dry, which had
been dag in the rock, to supply the inhabitants, in times of siege,
with water; on one tide rose a stupeuduve hilL, covered to the very
Munmit with trees, and scattered over with ralics of driiidical anti-
qnity; before it stretched an eitansive and gently swelling lawn,
sheltered on each side with groves of intenningted shade, and ^
refreehed by a clear and meandering rivulet, tlial t<x>k its rise from

!lhe ailidining hills, and murmured over n bed of pebbles.
_ After a pleaaaDt Journey, ou tha eietiing of the fourth day, onr
■■Tellers arrived at their destined hflhttation. An old mun and
Iroman who had the care of it were apprised of their coming, and on
the first approach of the carriage opened the massy door, and waited
to receive them ; they readied it when the sober grey of twilight had
clad every object. Atnanda viewed the dark and stupendous edifioa,
who^ gloom was now heightened by the shadows of evening, with
venerable awe; the solitude, the silence which reigned around, tho
melancholy murmur of the waves, as they dashed against ttie feet ot
the rocks, all heightened the sadness of her mind ; yet it was not
quite an unpleasing sadness, for with it was now mingled a degree of
that enthnsiasm which plaintive and romantic spirits are so pccu>
liarly sahject to feel in viewing the venerable gnmdenr of an ancient
fabric renowned in history. As she entered a apacioas hall, curiously
waiiiscotted with oak, ornamented with coats of arms, spears, lances,
and old armour, she could not avoid casting a retruepectivc eye tc
foniier times, when, perhaps in this very hall, bords sung the exploits
of those heroes, whose useless anus now hutig upon the walls; she
wished, in Iha romance of the moment, some grey bard near her, to
tall the deeds of other limes, of kings renowned in our land, of chieA
behold no more. In the niches in the hall were figures of obinf

t&ina, large as life, and rudely carded in oak ; their frowning oono*
tenancee strack a sudden panio npun the heart of £llco. — " Cot'pkn
their eoub," she said, "what tlio ti-fil did they do there, except to
frighteu the people from going into tue honael"

They were showTi into a large parlour, fiirnished in an old-faaliionod
manner, and found a comfortable auppor prepared for tliem ; oppressed
with fatigue, soon aiter they had partaken of it, they retired tn rest.
The next nioming, immediately after breaJcfaat, Amanda, attended by
the old woman and EUen, ranged over the castle. Its iut^^rior was
quite aa Gothio as its exterior; the staira were winding, tiie galloriea
intricate, the apartments numerooa, and uiostEy httng with old
tapestry, representing Irish battles, in which the chiols of Csatle
Corberry were particularly distingnished. Tlieir portraits witli thoM
of their Indies, ocenpied a long gallery, whose arched windows cast
a dim, rehgioiia "light npon them; this was terminated by a sranll
«partment in the centre of one of the towers that flanked tbe
bnildjng; the room was an octag^>Q, and thus oommanding a sea and
land prospect, nniting at once the sublime and beautiful in it. The
fhmiture was not only modern, but elegant, and excited the particu-

SlLUUEMOrTHBAIIOKr. 149

1 noB» of the family." "Did yon over see the yoang lonlt"
Iteil AmoQila, Kith iuvoUiiitary precipitation. "Seeliiml ay tbst
t tUd, when he was abont eight j'ears olJ. Tliere is his pictnre
tfpoiotiag a> une which boog over the cLininey); luy laily liad it done
1 fine English paint«r, snd brought it over with lier ; it is tho
torn] uf wliM lie tbfcn was." The eager eyea of Amanda were
aiitly tnrueti to it, and she traced or ima^ned ebe did ao, a
■emblaace still between it and him ; the painter aeemcd as if he
d the description of Pity in his tnind, when he drew tlie picture,
r Lord Uortimer was pourtrayed aa ahe is represented in tlie beau-
il aUegury, shellering a trembling duve in hU boaoiii from a fero-
Oh! Mortimer, thought Amanda, thy feeling nature ia
« ably delineated ; the distressed, or tlie halpleaa, to the utmost of
jonr {lower, you would save from the gripe of crnelty and oppreesioo.
Her fatlier bad dealred ber to choose pleasant apartments for ber own
immediate use, and abe accordingly Qzcd on thia and the room
. A^oining it, which had been Lady Cherbiiry'a chamber ; her things
3 brought hither, and her books, works, and implements for
nwing deposited in rich inlaid cabinets. Pleased with the arrange-
t ahe had made, she broagbC her latlier as soon as he was at
leisure to view them; he was happy to hnd her spirils somewhat
cheerl'ul and composed, and deuUrci that in future ho would rati this
Amanda's Tower. Accompanied by him she ascended to the battle
oienta of the castle, and was delighted with the estensive and varie-
cated prospeot she beheld from them : a spncioua edifice at some
distance, embowered in a grove of venerable oaks, attracted ber
admiration; her father told ber that was Ulster Lodge, a seaf
belonging to the murquis of RoHlinu, who was an Iris*' as well as a
Scots peer, and hod very exlcnirive piieseasions in Ireland; Fitzalan
added, he had been inquiring of Uie old man almnt the neighbour-
hood, and learned from liiui tLii'. at the expiration of every three or
four years, the niorijuis usually oairio over to Ulster Lodge, but had
never been accompanied by the mafchioness. or Lady Euphrasia

P'''-"''erlnnd, who was Ills only child.
e d'lmestic eoonomy of Castle Curlierry was soon settled ; a
g man and woman were hired, as Johnoleu and his wife Kate
considered little more thari eupernunierarlBB; Ellen wso
inl«d to attend Ariiaiida, nud do whulover plain work wu

^V*^ h
^Hnwin
^Vent a

IfiO ciiiLDREK or Tua abbit.

required. FitzaJan felt a ploasioj; serenity diffused over bis mind
from the idea of being in eoine degree independent, and in tiie wi^
of iiiaiiiig floiiie [irovisiou for his cliildren. — The first abock of k
Bopnrittion from Lord Mortimer being over, tbe cbeerfulness of
Amanda gradnoilj returned, the Tisions of liupe again revived in her
mind, and »]ie indulged a secret pleasure at livicg la the boose h«
had once oocupied; she considered her father aa particularly con-
nected with big tamily, and doubted not, from this circamBtance, aba
should eotnetimea hear of lirin; she judged of bia constAnc; b; her
own, and believed be wonld not readily forget her; she acknow-
ledged her father's motivea for separating them were equally just and
delicate, but firmly believed if Lord Mortimer (as she Uattered her-
self he would) confessed a partiality in her favour to bis father, that
in;~"ienced by tenderness for his eon, friendship for her father, and
the icnowlcdge of her descent, he would iruiuediately give up everj
idea of another connexion, and sauotion theirs with his approbation ;
no olistncle appeared to such an union but want of fortune, and that
want she could never suppose would be considered as one, by the
liberal-niindi'd Lord Cherbnry, who bod himself an income Huffioiont

101

b; li«re, on n mUJ ilay, hLu luved to rcitU and li^Un Ui tli«
s of the tide; tho opposite Soottiali hiUs Kiuung \rlii«h
h«r mother first dreir breath, often attracted and fixed tier sttenlion^
freqneotlj dmwing tears from her eyes, bj awateuing ia her mind
the reooUections of that inother'H saffuriogs,

Od a morning, ■when she aat at work in her apaitraent, Elian, who
WM considered more aa a friend tjian a servant, Eometiincs eat vrith
Jon not unfrequently turned on nurae Edwin's cot-
I, Irom which Gllvn, witli an arch Bim^^city, woold advert to
hldor HiUl, tiience naturally to Lord Mortimer, and conclude with
T Chip, eichuming what a pity true love should ever be crossed.

C U A P T E R XVI.

Tlut kuHVa do work wltb. cftU'tt m fool,

Voola km ngvs b; IsoUuf ■]■«.

it seta Dad wDodcudu b; Ibelr titi. Uvd,

TiiR solitude of Castlu Carberry waa interrupteil, in Ikhs tiian a
fortnight, bv visiU and inviutiona from the neighbouring families.
Tlie first they accepted was to dine at Mr. Eilcorban's ; he was a man
of larse fortnne, which, in the opinion of many, compensated for the
want of polished nianners and a cutUvated mind ; but, to otiiers of ft
more liberal writ of thinking, could not {msMbly excuse those dcS-
deneies, which were more apparent from hi» pretending to every
excellence, and more intolerable from his deeming himself antliorixed
by his wealth anil consequence, to say and do almost whatever he
pleased. His lady was like hiinselt a compound of ignorancei, pride, "
and vanity; their ofiitpriiig was cumerons, and the three wIlo were
tiiSicienlly old to make their appearance, were considered by H-eir
(inreuts and tlieinselvea as the very models of elegance and perfocUon.
, The ynnng heir iiad been sent to tlie university, but, being pci-mitted
I his own master, he hnd^rofited little by his residence there;
i^h, however, perhaps he thought for a ninn of fortune, whc
ed not profesfional knowled;;e; his face was coarw, his pcMioa
Wlt^anl, and hi^ lasle in adorning hinittelf prepontei'(iu..ly lidio'ilna*.

Ib3 cniLURKX ov -lum Aansr.

fasliioa, Iloyle, ftcid the lookiDH-glase wera Lis chief etudiex, lad by

Lis fniiiil; oQil sel^ he wu considered qnite tlie thing.

Tlie j-omig Indies were sapposed to be very accomiilisded, beci om
tticy had inatnicturs in ahnost eTery brftni^h of education ; but, in
reality, they nnderstood little more tlian tLe namea of -what Vivf
V. vru attempted to he tanght : nature had not been lariah of her ^Jts ;
lit' lljip, howoTer, they were conscions, and patched, pmrderuil, ami
[laiiitml in the very eitremity of the mode. Their mornings were
tteiiiTdly epeiit in rolling abont in a coach and six, with titdr
uianimo, collecting news and paying visits ; their evenings wore coo-
i^tautly devoted to company, without which they declared they could
not exist ; they sometimes affected languor and sentitoent, talked of
friondtliip, and professed for numbers, the most sincere; yet, to th«
very girls tbcy jiretended to re^^ard, delighted in exhibiting their
finery, if ccrtuiii they could not purchase the same, and would feel
mortilieil by tteeing it.

Mr. Kilcorbnn had indulged liis family in a trip to Bath one
autumn, aud iu so doing, had afTordwl a never-failing aubject for
i-ouversalion : upon every occasion this delightfnl eicursion was
lentioncd — the nordtiefl thev saw, the admiration they eicited. the

fiirmed themselFes mto a group quite ilislant from the rp«t. Otia
geDtlemao swore "slio was k deviliBh fine girl!" he was s^coDdeJ in^
the remark by (inoi.her, who eitnUed her complexion. " Ynii are a
simpleton," crieJ a young lady, who wag reckouiid a grent wit ; " I'd
engage, for half a crown, t« get as fine a colntir in Dublin." Her
cumpimiooa laaghod, and declared she only «p<'ke truth in Hnjitig so.
Mr. liryan Eilcorban, who leaned on her ehair, said, "A bill bIiouIiI
be broDgiil into the house to lax snch compleiions; for kill ine,"
ooDtinued he, "the Indiea are so irreeiatible from nature, it is qtiit«
mncooscionablo to call in art as an auxiliary," lie then stalked over
p Amanda, who sat by Lady Greyetock ; lolling over her chair, ho
"he thonght the tedious honrs wonld never clnpac, till
a Ueased with her presence; of her," he said, "it was siilliciunt
{■ have bat one glimpse to make hlui pant for the racond." A siim-
i dinner relieved her fVom his nonsense: luxury aod o^ten-
rere conspicuoua in the fare and decorations of the table, and
ykmanda never felt any bonrs so tedions as those she passed at it;
1 the ladiea returned U> the drawing-room, t)ie Miss Ellcorbans
I their cumpaniona began to examine and admire her dress.
•^What a pretty pallem this gown is worked in," said one. "What
a avreet, becoming cap this is," cried a second. " Wei), certainly the
English milliners have a great deal of taste ; my dear," said Misi
Kiloorhan, whispering Amanda, "I have « monstrons ftvonr Ifl ask
of yon," drawing her at the same instant to the window, "I am
I nre," said Amanda, "any in my power to grant, I shall with plea-
"Oh, really, then, it is in your power; 'tis only to refhse the
n of yonr cap to any girls mho m.ij ask yoo for it, and to give
ne and my sister; yon can't conceive how wo doat on being the

tt time in the fashion ; on
ything when it becomes

d every sommer, when '
B always make it a point
KWoIi I played a friend of

stareil at, and so envied; I detest
yon can't think bow we are
return Irom Dublin, for fashions, but
refuse. I must tell yon a delightfol
she reoeivej a large present of the
It beantiftl muslins from India, which she laii! by till 1 returned
SB, Bupporing I would let her see my things, as 1 always told
la extremely fond of ber; well, I lent her a gown, ivliieh wnn
d •fashioned, but »*snred her it was the very npwr^t mode :
irdingty had her bcnnlifnl inusjlitj cul in imilatiou 'if it. ani!

Itfi

oaiK

TDK ADflzr.

(•o spoiled them Trum raalnng any other lialiit; well, we met b< (9
xiieiiie bull, where nil the ele^^nt people of the conntrj were KSiTti-
liled, and, I ileelare I never mw «o riiliciili)a» a fignre as she m»de>,
ivhen she found lifrself Dolike everj one in the room ', I re&lly
Iliutight she would have fKiDled, and that ray slater and 1 abouH
hare eijiired with laughing; ]ioor tiling, the tears ahaulnlcly trickled
down her clit'eka : don't yon think it wa9 n charminit trick I" " Vvrj
mndi so," Huid Aiiinndo, '^ I tliink it gare & alriking speeimeo of your
humour." " Well, my dear," eiclairaeU Miss Eilcorban, ■withoal
minding tlie marked eniphaais of Amanda's last words, "if yon allow
ns, iiij siater and I will call npon yon to-iiiurrow, and look over yonr
tilings." " It nrould be giving yourselt-e» a great deal of unneeessary
trouble," replied Aiuaoda, coolly, who did not by any means reHuh
lliis forward proposal; "my things eaa boast of little bnt simplicity,
and I am always my own miUiner," "Really, wall, I protest you
have a gi'eat deal of taste ; my maid, who is very handy, would, I
lliiok, be able to make np tilings in [irelty much the ^me style, if
jou were obliging enough to give lier patterns; if you do, )>erhapa
you will add to the favour, and allow nx to mj they are the nowe«t

i

r agreed amnng the fair coterie, that tbcyabould coutinuc Id thedraK-

ing-room to be in ilalu quo, iat the rcappenrance of the beaux.
I Lady Grejsbick dow beckoned to our beruine to take a seat b; ber;
I ibe g]D4]; obeyed. "Well, my dear." said her ladyship, "1 hope
jrou have had enough of tbese couDtry missee, tbeae would-be miaBCa
I of the ton." Ajnanda smiled asscDtingly. " Heaven defend me or
I kny one 1 like," contioued her ladyship, " from their clock ; the cod-
I fusion of Babel was, I reall; belieTe, inferior to that their tongnei
I ffeatc ; yet some people have the absurdity to reckon these girli
[ (KcnnipUshed. Poor Mrs. Kilcorban tonneatB one with the perfeo-
[ tioDs of ber dnughtcrg; againut the; are disposed of (which she
imagines will be very soon) she has a new brood of graces training up
1 to bring out ; mercy on me ! vhat a set of hoydens I I'd lay m; life,
[ ftt this very instant thej are galloping about the nursery, like a parcel
I of wild colts, ttsaring or tormenting an unfortunate French governesSi
I who was formerly filU dt ehambre to a woman of quality, and does
i not even onderetand the grammatical part of her own langunge."
I " Mrs. Kilcorban's opinion of her children," said Amanda, " is nntu-
I nl, considering the partiality of a parent." "Yes; but not more
I bearable oa that accouitt," replied her ladyship, " and I should
I rodeavor to open ber eyes to her folly, if I thought her acquaint-
I *nce would furgive my depriving them of such a fund of amiua-

I Mr. Bryan Ki'icorhan, with some gent'emen, now entered tlie room,
1 vd advanced to Amanda. "So," said be, "yon have got by ''Jie
I dowager ; liang me, but I would let my beard grow, if all women
I naemblMl her in ttieir dispositions." " By way of appearing saga-
I Otis I inppose," said her ladyship, who was eitremely quick, and had
I canglit the last words ; " alas ! poor youth, no embellishments on the
I wterior would over be able to make us believe the tenement within
I well fumitihed." Her ladyship was now summoned to a whist table,
I ud Uiss Kilcorban inunediatcly tncib lier vacant scRt. " My dear
■ tteatnre," said she, " are yon bored to death ! Lady Orcystunk is a
\ queer piece 1 can assure yon : 1 suppose she was u«fcing some favour
K from yuD, Bucli as to work her on apron, or handkerchief: she iji
I notfd everywhere for requesting snch little jobs, as she culls thotii ;
I) indeed we should nsver put uji with the tnnible nhe gives ns, but tliat
wriM is Twtlj riob^ Atkd papa's ralation, and has no one to nearly

connectod with her as va are." " All verj good rcaaoDH for jonr
coinplaiaaoue," replied Amnnda, "but aliuuld ;Du not be careful in
CQucealiDg theiD?" " Oh I Lord do: everj one knows them aa well
as we do ouraelvea ; she was here lost Huiuiuer, and took a fane; to
the pattern of an uprua of mine, and mude me the reasonable request
of working one like it for her; all this she pretended iFaa to prevent
mj being idle. Well, I said I would, and wrote up to the Morsviaa
liiiuse, in Dublin, where 1 had got mine, for one exactly like it ; in
duo time 1 received it, and presented it to the Dowager, certain that
in return 1 should reueire a few of ber diamond pina, which she bad
often heard nie admire ; they are the prettiest I ever saw, and quite
unfit for her, but she had the eruelty to diauppuint mo." " Upon my
fuitb," cried Mrs. Kilcorban, who had taken a uhair at the other side
of Amanda, and listeued with evident pleasure to her daughter's
voluble speech, " Lady Oreystock is an odd being ; I never mot with
any one like her in all my travels through England, Ireland and
Wales ; but she is a great orator, aod possceaoa the gift of the gab in
e, wonderful degree."

Ay. indeed, thought Amanda, and you and your fair daughters
mble ber in that respect. After tea she was prevailed on to sit

TnK following evening th* y were engnged at a farmer's ; the invita-
tion was given with euch hamillly, jet pressed nilh such narrnth, that
they could not avoid Hccepting it : and Bornrdingly aoun after dinner
walked to the hnaBc, which was about a mile from Castlo Carberry.
It waa a lav tJiatched building ; every appendage to it bespoke neat-
nesa and comfort : it wse aitunted in a beautiful meadow, enclosed
fVom the road by a hawthorn hedge, and on the oppositA ade lay an
extenaive common, on wbioh stood the stupendous and venerable
rains of an abl>ey called St. Catharine's ; they appeared a melancholy
aoonment of the power of time over atrength and grandeur, and,
frtui« they attracted tlie ubacrvaiion of the cariona, eicited a sigh in
boeora of scnaibility.

The farmer's family consisted of three daughters and two aoua,
now dressed in tlieir best array ; they had assembled a
number of their neighbours, among wliom was a little fat priest,
called Father O'Callaghan, considered the life of every party, and a
Uiad piper ; tlje room was »iiiall and crowded with fnmitnre, as well
company i it was oidy dividt-d fmni Ijie kilclien by a abort passage,
the steam of Iiot cokes, atid the sinoko of a tnrf Gre, which issued
ice, soon rendered it dintresaingly warm. Amanda got as ocar
the window as posaible, bnt still could not procure sufficient air, and
■• every thing for tea was not quite re.idy, at.kiHl one of the Miss
O'Flanaghatts if she woold accompany her to St. Cntbartne's. Sho
answered io the affirmative. The priest, who liad been smirking at
her ever since her entrance, now shook hia fat sides, and said ha
wished he could get her initialed there, " for it would do my sou]
good," cried he, " to canfetis ench a pretty Uttle creature as you ore,
though, faith, I believe I should find yon like Faddy M'Denough, who
used come to confession every Easter, though the devil a thing tlte pooi
mail had to confees about at all, at all ; so tiaya I to bim, Paddy, tny
^wel, *BJH I, 1 believe I mu;il make a snint of voir, and lay yon on

IBS

OEI LDR

BDBT

the «]t«r." "Oh I hooer, father," cried he, " not yet a wliile, till I
get B. new snit of clothes on, which I iihall bj neit MiohaelmM."
Amanda led them all laughing at the Storj, and her father engaged in
cflnveruBtion witli Home farmere, who were desiring hia interest with
Lnrd Uherhurr, for new lenses on moderate terms.

Amanda liad about a qnarter of a juile to walk across the commoD :
the ground was marshj and uneven, and nnmerous stamps of treea
deauted its bavijig ouce been a noble forest, of which no meinortal
but tlie^e stiimpfl, and a few tall trees imnicdistely near the abtwy,
remained, tbat stretched their Tenerable anus around it, as if to
sliade that ruin whose progress thej had witnessed, and which
Amanda found well worthj of inspection. She was eqnaltj astoa*
iahed at lis elegance and extent ; with tiacrcO awe tiavereed epadona
cloisters, the former walks of bol} meditation ; she pnraned her way
through winding poseages, where vestiges of cells were yet discerni-
ble, over wbo>te mouldering arches the gross waved in rank loxuri-
ance, and tJie ci'e«ping ivy spread it^ gloomy foliage, and viewed
with reverence tlie graves ol" those who had once inhabited tliem.
Tlioy suiTonmk'd that of the foiinikT's, which was distinguished by

firo windings, when
) her grcnt snrpriiie,

n informed

OaiL'lREN OF TUX ASSET. 169

kn-'d » favooritu broU icr was iuterred Ujere. Tlie girl moved from

e epot, bnt Ainaniia, ijclnined bj an irreprcsftiMe einouQii, BtoJd a

^nute longer Co coutemplnla the awfii] Bueae ; oU wm sileot, Had,

jbd Boiilorj, the graa9-[^>wn aislea looked long uatrodden bj htiman

;jfaot, tlie gre«D and moulderiug wdls appeared ready to cromblo iato

toms, u)d the wind, whicb howled thruugh their crevices, soDuded

lb the ear of tsaoy, as sjgbs of Borrow for tbo dwoktioiu of the

,]^l»ce : full of morollxuig melsDcholy, the ycmag, the lovely Ai"ftndft,

Bug over the grave of her companion's youthful brother, and t&king

p tlie withered flower, wet by tlie tears of sisterly affection, dropped

iflwlher on it, and cried, "Oh I howitt an cniblem is Uiis oflife, how

^tnstTalive of these words: "Unn comes forth aa the flower of tha

jftdd, and is soon cot down."

Misa O'Flnnnghon now led hor through Mme a

(Middenly emerging from them she fiinnd Iierself, t

In a large garden, entirely encompnssoil by the ni

e of it titood a large low bnilding, which her <

ir was a convent: a folding door at the nidu opened into the cliapel,

1|:]aieli they entered and foind a nun prn3ing.

Amanda drew bock, fearful of disturbing her; but Uiss O'Flana-
Imd accosted her withont ceremony, and the nun returned the soiii'
IlioD, with themost cordial good liomoar. Slie was filly, aa Amanda
Ite'wards beard, for she never could, from her appearance, ha^e
conceived her to be bo mnch: her skin was fair, and perfectly free
from wfinile, the blooni and down upon her cheeks as bright and
BoH as thnl upon a peach ; though her accent at once proclaimed her
country, it wdb not unharmonious, and the clieerful obligingness of
her nwimer sioply compensated the want of elegance; slie wore tha
relipoDs h*hit of the house, which was a loose flannel dress, hound
round her waist by a girdle, from wliich hung her tieaila and a crose;
a vedl of l>.e same stufT descended to the gronnd, and a mob cap and
forehead cloth qntte concealed her hair.* Miss O'Flanaghan presented
Amanda to her, aa a etranger who wished to see every thing onriona
I tha chapel. "Ahl my honey," cried elie, "I am sorry she liui
a time whe~i she'll see lb all in the dismals, for you know
n nioumingfor onr prioreas (the altur was hung with block;)

100 CUILDRINOrtUBABBIT

Imt, m; deu. (turning to Amanda,) do you mean bo come here nest
Sunday, for if you do, you will find us all bright agsin." Upon
Amanda's anawering !□ the Dogative, she continued; " Faith, and I
nin sorry for that, for 1 have taken a great fancy to you, and when I
like a person, I always nieh them as great a chance of happiness as I
bave niyeeir." Amanda eniiling, said she believed none could desire
a greater ; and the nun obligingly proceeded lo show her all the relics
and finery of the chapeU; among the former was a head belonging to
one of tlio eleven thousand virgin martyrs, and the latter, a chest full
of rich silks, vrhiuh piuua ladies had given for the purpose of dressing
the altar; pulling a drawer from under it, she displayed a quantity
of artifi<:ia.l lowers, which she SEud vere made by the sisters and their
Hcholirs. Amanda wished to make a recompense fur the trouble she
had giren, and finding they were to be sold, purchased a number, and
having given some to Miis O'Flanaghan, whom she obsetrod viewing
them with a wishful eye, she left the rest with the nun, promising to
call for them the ensuing day. " Aj. do," said she, " and you maj'
be euro of a sincere welcome ; you will eeo a set of happy poor crea-
tures, and none happier than myself. 1 entered the convent at too,
I took vows at fifteen, and from that time to the present, which is a

the society consiBted of twdre nuns; their little fortaneSi
though ii^ik in one oommon fanil, were iasafGuient to suppi; theit
necessities, wltith compelled them to keep a day suhool, in which
the reighbouring chililren were instructed in reading, writitig, plaia
IT ork/ embroidery, and artiBuial flowers; she also added that the
ttllowed to go nut, but few aviuled themselves of that
^iberly, and that, except ia fasting, thej were strungera to the austm-
prncticed ia foreign conrenta.
For anch a eocietj Amanda thonght nothing could be bett«r
adapted than the present situation sheltered bj the ruins, like the
litiog entombed among the dead, their wishes, like their views, were
bounded by the mouldering walk, as no olyect appeared beyond
them which could tempt their wandering from their usual limits ; the
dreary common which met the view, could not Iw more bleak and
iahos|>itable than the world in general would hare proved to the
children of poverty and nature.

Father O'Gallagbon met the ladies, at the door, and, familiarly tak

ing Amanda's bond, said, " Why yon have staid loiig enoagh tu be

made a nan of; here («aiil he), the cakes are buttered, the tea mode,

and we ail waiting for you : all I jou little rogue," smirking in bor

face, " by tie bead af St. Patrick, those twinklers of yours were not

g^ven for the good of yonr aoul ; here yon arc come to play pcll-mel'

among the bearta of the honest Irish lads ; ah I the devil a doubt bni

^on will have mischief enoagh to answer for by and by, and then I

ipose you will be coming to me to confess and abeulvo you ; bu*.

ibur, my little honey, if yon do I niu.st be paid beforehand."

Ida disengaged her band, and entered the parlour, where th*

ipany, by a display of pocket-handkerchiefs on their laps, seemed

lared to make a downright meal of the good things before tliein;

Mi«8 O'Flanogbans, from the toils of the tea table, at lust grew aa

red as Uie ribbon with whicli they were profosely ornamented ; tlia

table at length removed, the choirs arranged, and tlie leuches

placeil iu the passage for the old folkn, tlie signal for a dance waa

^vcn, by the pipcr'^ playing an Irish jig ; the farmer's eldest eon,

ted in a new skj-blne coat, bis hair combed Bleek on bis forehead,

his complexiau as bright as a fall blown poppy, advanced to our

line, and begged, with muiih modesty, and many bowit, she

told do him the favor to stand up wiih him ; she hesitated a lit'le

im CRILDRKX or TUB i.DBBr.

when Fatlier O'Gftllaghan, pTing her a tnp, or rather skp, on the
flionlder, mado lier Etart suddenly from her scat ; lie langhsd lienrtily
at tliia, decloriug, be hked to eee a girl alive and merry ; as he could
not join in the dance, he consoled himself with being ma9t«r of th«
epremoniea, and insisted on Amanda's dancing and leading off the
I'riest in hie bootfl; ebe felt littje incliiiBd to comply, hut she was ono
tf^ tliose who cau sacrifice their own iuclinations lo that of others ;
Mag direiHied in the figare hj the priest, she went down the dance,
but the floor being an earthen one, by the time she concluded it, she
bc|^d they would encuae her sitting the remainder of the evening^
she felt BO extremely fatigued ; she and Fitzalan would gladly havo
declined stayiup to sapper, but this they found impossible, witbont
either greatly inortirying, or absolutely offending their hospitabla

The table waa covered with a proftision of good country fare, and
none seemed to enjoy it more truly than the prieat : io the intervals
of eating, his jests flew about in every direction : tlie scope he gare
to Lis vivaeity exhilarated the rest, so that, lihe Falstaff, he was not
only witty himself, hut a prompter of wit in iilhers. " Pray, father."

CBILDK&M OV run ABaiT. 161

Wkod th« man. "Oh I 'liat yoa shaU and welcome," nulled lie
BHiiiing, " Why tlien, fatLer," i-oturueO tho other, '■ I ■Koalit reftwe
It if joD forced it apon me, for d'je see, bad il been wurtli one (&r-
'filing yon would have rcfOEed it to me.''

" Too have put me in mind of a very cnrionii story," eickimed
Knother young man. lu this one confludcd bit. " A young knight
went into a ohapel in Spain one moruiiig, wliere he observed ■ mcyik
ftendiDg In a sappiioatiog attittide, with n box io his hand : oe
•aked him wLM this was lor, sod learned, to collect money fur pray-
ing tlie souls c: fifty Oliristians out of pnrgatory, whom the Moon
Juid :uardere(l : the koight threw a piece of money into Ilie box, and '
tile monk, atter rq>estiag a short prayer, exclaimed, " tliere ia one
■onl redeemed." The knight threw in a second, and the priest, aClei
the same ceremony, cried, '' there is luiotiier free." Thus tliey both
vent on, one ^viug and the other praying, till, by the monk'e account,
all the Eoula were free: "Are yon snre of this?" inqnired the knight
*• Ay," replied tlie priest, they are all assembled together, at th«
gale of Learen, which St. Peter gladly opened for Ibeni, and they
■re now joyfully seated in Paradise." " Frort whence Uiey cannot
be removed, I suppose!" said the knight. "Removedl" repeat«d
^e astonished priest, " no the world itself might be easier reiiiorud."
** Tlien if you please, holy father, relnrn me my dncato ; Ibey have
4eiwmplislied the purpose for which tliey were given, and as I am
•nly a poor cavalier, without chance of being as happily situated, at
least fur some years, aa the souls we have mutually contributed to
release, I titand in great need of tbein."

Filxalnn was auqirised at llie freedom with wliicli they treated tht ,
.priest, but he laughed as merrily as the rest at their stories, for h«
.ktiewlhal though they sometimes allowe^l themselves n little latitude,
ttiey neither wished nor attempted to ajiake otf hiii power.

Filzahin and Amanda withdrew as early as possible ft'om tlie party,
which if it wanted every otlier charm, bad lliat of novelty, at least to
tliem. The next morning Amanda repaired to the convent, and
Inquired tor sister Mary, the good-natnred nun she had seen the
{•receding evening; she immediately made her appearance, and waa
delighted at seeing Amanda; she condneted her to the school-room,
'Wlietw the r^st of the nniis and the pupils were assembled, and
Amanda waa delighted wiib tho content and regiilarity which

UO cBiLDKiv or «!■ ^.kiir.

thnragh them ; a flight of rugged itepa, ant ht tfaa lifing rook, li9 to
ft wve OD the innimit uf one of the highest; » oroM, mdelj oftmd
upon the wall, and the remwni of a matted oottob, denoted thia having
formerlj been a hermitage ; it overhung the eea, and all ahont it
wen tremendoua eragi, agunat whioh the wftTM beat with rialenM;
over a low and arched door was a amooth done, with the following
lines engraved upon it : —

At dHd of Blfht 'mid hta Drtani bwi

TBtnblLDA all piwIplUE* down, d

Under Amanda's superintending care, the garden soon loet ita mde
appearance, a new couch was procured for the hermitage, which shr
ornamented with shells and sea weeds, rendering it a most delightfnl
recess, the trees were pruned, the alleya cleared of opposing bramble*,
and over the wall of the Quthic temple she hung the flowers she bad
Vnrchaaed at St. Catherine's, in fanciful wreaths.

Bhe <)n«ii asrendtHl the denous path of the monDtafii, which

■cd refr«e)iitig dewg, and almost ever; plant enriohee the soil from
wLiob it gpriing; Nature, indeed, in all her works is a glorious pre-
oedent to man, but while eoalaved b; ilissipatioD, he cannot tblln\r
her example, and what e;iqDisite Boaroes of enjoyment does he lose —
to lighten the toils of labour, to obeer the child of poverty, to rni^e
the drooping head of merit! — Oh I how superior to the revels of ilia-
aipatioD, or the ostentatioa of wealth.

'■ Real happineaa is forsaken for a gandy phantom called pleasure;
abe it seldom grasped but for a looment, yet in that moment htta
power to fix envenomed stings within the breast; the heart widch
•leligbtfl in domestic joys, which rises in pious gratitude to Ileaven,
which melts at human woe, can alone eiperience tme pleasnra.
The fortitode with which the peasants bear their sofferlngs, should
care discontent of its murmurs, they support adversity withoot com-
plaining, and those who possess a pile of tnrf against the severitf
of winter, a small strip of ground, planted with cabbage and potatoes,
a cow, a pig,and some poultry, thiulc tbcmselTes comjiletely happy,
though one wretolied hovel sheliers all alike.

Obi how rapturous, thought Amanda, the idea of Lord Mortimer's
fe«liag recurring to her mind, to change such scenes, to see the clay-
built hovel vanish, and a dwelling of neatness and convenience rise in
its stead ; to wonder, continaed sberWith Lim whose soul is franglit
with sensibility, and view the project of benevolence, realized by tha
hand of charity, the faded cheek of misery regain the glow of
health—

d content and oheerfolneas sport beneath its sliadea.
^fh>m SDch an ecstatic reverie aa this, Amanda wss roused one
ning, by the entrano© of tlie Kilcorbans and I^dy Greystock, into
the dreaaing room where she was working. "Oh I my dear," cried
tlie eldest of the yonng ladies, "we have such enchanting news to tell
yon : only think who is coming down here immediately, your nncle,
and aunt, and cousin : an express came this morning from Dublin,
where thej now are, to the steward at Ulster Lodge, to have every
tiling prepared agtunst next week for them." " 1 deckrc," said Miss
_Alida, " I shall quite envy yon the delightful amnsement you shall
Fith them." Ainaftda blushed and felt a little confused : " You

181}

OHILDRIX or THB ApBIT.

wfll hkTe no reBSon then, I lutej,'^ repKed die, "ftr mJtj I 4»'MI
know them." ' '''

"Oh Lord Peidairoed lire. Eiloorban, " well that ii Tuy ottntel^
not know yonr own relationB ; bnt perbips the^ elwrnyi Hnd tn
Bootland, uid yon were afraid to onwa the m* to pay them ft tUC*

"If UiRtwu the only fear Rhe had," said Lady Oieyrtoek, with' fc
■atirical smile, " she conld easily have snimoonted It'^bestdea, wttM
It not havo held good with reepeot to one place aa well ■■ anoUietf*
"Well, I never thought of that," cried Via. KUeotban; "bat pii^,
niisa, may I ask the reason why yon did not know them by Mterf'

" It oan be of very little oonseqn«toe to yon, madam," ngpBdS,
Amanda, ooolly, " to hear It"

"Tliey tay Lady Enphroda Bntherland la Tery BMOVplisked,*
•xnUitned Miss Kiloorban, " so a correepoodenoe with her wonid Iuit*
been delightftil ! I dare say yon write sweetly yoorself ; so if erer
j'OD leave Oastle Carbeny, I beg yon will &Tonr me with letters, ftir
of all tilings I doat on a sentimental oorrespondenoe."

■'No wondiT," BvdLady Qreystook, "yon are sopaitietdarly wd
qnalified to snpport one."

; tut,'' rising witli their inamtua, and Bolatiog lier iiiuoh e
rurmall; than tLey bad done at tbeir eulrunue, '^sLe is the itest Judge

of OlAt."

Fit2«lAn had never seen the marchioiiem sinoe his marriage, nor did
Ii« dver again wish to behold her; the iohuinanttj with which alie
had treated her luvely slater; the imdice with which she tuul aug-
mented her father's resentment agmnat that poor sufferer, liad so*
•trougl; prepossessed his mind with the ideas of the si^lfisSiuess and
iiaplacability of here, as to excite sontiuients of dietaato and aversion
fur her ; he considered lier as the usurper of his cliildren's rights ; aa
accedsarj- to the death of his adored Mtdvins, and consequently the
author of liie agunies he eudurtid — agouiiu which time, aided by reli'
gUiK, »>uld auaruely cuuqner.

1 A P T E R XIX.

I( At th« eipected time, tlie marquis and his family arrived, with great
Kuidaur, at Ulsier Lodge, which was i id oied lately crowded with
1) of the first TODaeqiience in the country, auiung whom were
ilie Eilcorbans, wboae aftlueut furtuue gave them great respeclability.
lir. Eilcorban wished, indeed, to bo llrst in paying his complimeDta
to the marqnis, who had a bomugh in his disposal, he was deeirons of
being returned for: disappointed the last time he sat op as one of tlie
candidates for the county, this was his only chance of entering tlia'
liooM be bad long been ambitious for a seat in ; he knew, indeed, his
oratorical powers wore not very great, oflen saying he bad not tlid
f(ift of the gab like mniiy of the hououralile gentlemen: but then
i'S aboold stamp and stare, and loot up to gods and goddesses,"
fjr their approbation with the best uf them; and beBidos, bis being a

UdlH u* ftJiilllid iDlu 111* iillHyDr Ilia Irlili Boiu* jrCoDmoH.

170

UX TUX ASSBT.

meinber of pai-lionienl, would iucreasa liis oouaeqiwiKa, tt kart ^
the country.

Tlic rviiiJu ]<Art uf his riuiiilf wcot from Ulster Lodge to Cwtk Gkfr.
berry, wliU-li llicy entered with a more ooDaeqnenlJal air than aw,
M il' thi'v ilt^rived Dew conseqQeaoe, tnam the rlait they kid bev
p(Lyi[i(;: iiisteu'l of flying np to Amuulo, u oinal, the fanng ladiw
iwain into the room, wilh vliftt tliey ima^pned % moit towltoUai
elegance, and making a alidiog courCctiy, flang theouelTee upon > aab
eioelly ojipu^^itt) the glass, and alternatelj viewed tbenitdT*!, ind
ponued tlivir reinarka un IddfEaphnaia'adiew; " Well, oenaiBl):,
Alii:ia," suid Mias Eiloorbaa, "I will heTe e moroing gown nuMh
in iiiiiliiliiiii ofher l&dysliip'e; tliat frill of fine lace about the seek, b
the must Leeuniing thing in nature ; and the pale blue lioiiig wwtij
ndajiled fur a deliunte complexion." — " I think, Charlotte," cried IQa
Alic-a, " I will have my tambour muiilln in tlie same style, but UmA
wilh i^iiik tr) sut off llie work."

"liii- :;uut of your,*, my doar,"" excbiragd Mm, Eilcorbao, "b
r<>ully :\ inrsoiiuble locking wouian onoDgb, and her daugbter a
pretty lii.llt sort <if body."

CBILDueK OV THE ABBIT. HI

lapped up stnlra like ao H>r eqnin. Tbe mapchionesa advuicei]
'ihout two 3li'|H fruiii hor ooiioh to reoeive uh, and LaJy Eiipbraiia lislf
%tlao Tram her seat, »tler ocncuinplnling us fur & niiuiitt), to know
WiDether we were to Le conaiilered aa bainaii creatures or not, aaok
fhcK tnlo lier fcinuer uttituiie of elegant languor, and ooDtinned hei
bMverution willi a young noblnuion, who tuu occompouied them
n Engiand."

Well, I tiiipa yon will allow he is a divine creature," ewlniioed
I Kilcarbkn, in an accent of rapture; "Oh, what eyes he hai,"
Med lier tijter, " what All hannoDlous voice, I reidly never beheld auy
tes one BO exquisitely liandnunie."

** Lord Uortimsr, indeed," said Lady Oreyatock ; Amanda 9tartc<1,

hhiBhed, tnmeil pale— pan tc<] aa if for breatli, aud started as if iu

InuemenU "Blesa me, Miss fitzalan," asked her ladyship, "ara

^flM illl" — "No, madam," replied Amanda, in a trembling voice

1^*0» oalv — 'tis only a hltle palpitatiou of tlie heart I am sul^eot to .

»ye intirnipted yoor ladyship, pray proceed." — " Well, continued

If Greyitoek, "I was saying that Lord Mortimer wbb one of the

elegant and eogaging young men 1 bad ever beheld ; his eiprei*

eyes seemed to reprove the folly of his fair companion, and her

iglect mode him doubly essldnoiis, whiuh to me wu a moat ood>

Being proof of a noTile mind."

Eow did the lieart of Aiuanda swell with pleaenre, at tliis warm
flogism on Lord Mortimer : the (ear of delight, of refined afiectioD,
tuDg to her eye, and oonld scarcely be prevented falling.
"Lord, madam," cried Miss Eikorban, whose pride was mortified
I Amanda's hearing of the cool reception they had met with; "I
n't oonceive the reason yon ascribe suoh mdeDces and ooDoeil to
tdy Enphrasia: 'tis really qaite a miaconstrnotion of tlie etJqnetta
tCCBsary to be observed by people of rank."
"I am glad, my dear," replied Lady Greystock, "yon are now
Iginning to proQt by the many lessons 1 have given you 00
Bnility."

**! asmre yon, miss," said Mrs. Eileorhan, "I did not forgot to te!l
• marchionesa abe bad a niece in tbe oelghbuurhood: I though^
ahe seemed a little shy on the subject, so I suppose there has
a difference in the familios, particularly as you don't visit ber;
ill: U our ball, perhaps every thing may be settled." Amanda made
» reply to this *].r<Tli, an>l tlie l«rtlcs dopnrled.

173 ciiii-DHEK or TUB ABiir.

Her bosom, m nuijr well be nippoaed, wm iglUteJ irith &m raatt
violent pertDrbations, on faearing of Lord Hortimer'i being ia tt*
nefgbbonrbood ; tbe pleaKore she felt at tbe flmt intelligenoe, gtwAaaif
■ubdded on refleoting be was la inmate, probably • Mead, to tboM
relationa who bad contributed to tbe deatrnotloD of her motbK-i
•ad who, from tlie character she had heard of them, it waa aol
uncharitable to think, woald fool no great ragrot, If ber oLdUnn
experienced a deatJoj eqoall; eerere; might thej not tmUbtt aouM
pr^odlces agunst her into his boaom ; to know abe wn tbe ddU df
the nnfbrtonate Ualyino, woold be enoogb to provoke tbdr enml^;
or if they were silent, might not I«]f Eufdiraaia, adorned vMi
ever; advaiUage of rank and fortone, have wcoi, or at leMt aoen irla
hia afiectioDB.

Tet acaroely did tbeee ideas obtrude, ere abe reprosched benalfftv
them, ae injurious to Lord Mortimer, from whoae noUe nature ah*
thought she might believe his constancy never wonld be ■^■^■''t
except she heiself gave him reason to relinquish it.

She now cheered her desponding apirito, by recoiling the ideot (ha
had long indulged with delight, as her reeideOM was still a eaoret to

warriors bad stepped oat of tiis niche, anH ttie tcfil t&ke them all^
[■ay, for tliey grir. sio horribly, they affrigliten me oot of my wila, if
i^go througli tlio ball of a clnrk evening; bo ifone of tliem old foUows
fi I was saying, had jani|)od out, I coald nut liave been more atar-
fled; and bank I ran into the little parloar, and there I heard hia
'Iprdship inqniring for my tnasler; to be enre the sonnd of his voice
did my heart good, for he is an old friend, as ooe may say; so as
soon as he wont into the stody, I stole np stairs; and one may guess
,lrt)at be and my master are talking abuul, I think."

The emotion of Amanda increased ; she trembled so she conid not
^^nd : she felt aa if lier destiny, licr futnre happincaii, depended on
<^iia minnte. In vain she endeavoured to re^^n composure ; her spi-
(Ha were wonnd np to the highest pitch of expectation, and the a^-
^tioDS inseparable from anch a state, were not to be represt.

She oontinoed near an bour in this situation, when the voioe of
Jlortjmer struck her ear; she started np, and standing in the centra
of the room, saw hini walking down the lawn with her fatlier, who
him when he hail reached the gate, where his servanta and hortiea
TKBTD. The ciiill of disappointment pervaded tlie heart of Amanda,
tnd a shower of tears fell from her. Ellen, who had remained in the
as almoet as maeh disappointed aa her mistress; she mattered
■Dmethlng abont the inconstancy of men ; they were all, for her part,
fbe believed, all alike; all like Mr. CI)ip, capUona on every occasion.
Jtlie dinner bell now summoned Amanda; she dried her eyes, imd
fied on a little straw hat, to conceal their redness. With much con-
[kiaion, she appeared before her father; his penetrating eye was
iBBtanlly struck with her agitation and pallid looks, and he coi^jeo-
Inred that aha knew of the visit be had received; on receiving that
jri^t, be wondered not at the strength of her attachment; the noble
aod ingenuous air of Lord Mortimer had immediately prepossessed
j^tzal&n in hia favonr ; he saw him adorned with all those perfec-
tions which are calculated to make a sfTong and permanent impresfiion
^ a heart of sensibility, and he gave a sigh to the cruel neoeeaity
Vbich compelled him to separate two beings of such congenial loveli-
it aa that necessity neither was nor could be overcome, he
^oioed that Ix>rd Mortimer, instead of visiting him on account of hlf
4ftnghter, bad niurcly come on account of affairs relating U> the castle
Jnid h.id inijiiired for her willi a ooolness which bcemcd to declare bis

IT4 CBILDKIV or TBI ABBST.

ion toUll; nibdned; not tiie amallegt hint rdativs to &• lattv, 1b
wliioh ho I<tu1 propobed for lier, dropt from him; uid Ktulan on^
eluded Iiis affections were traiuferrod to soma oI))Mt, men tfaft
laromito of fortune thtui bb portionlew Amanda.

This object, 1m was inclined to believe ladf Enphnala fiotheriaa^
team vliut Lord Cherbory had loid, oonoeming the qdcndid f^"fwt
he had in view for bia eon, and &om Lord Uo(tim«r'a aeoonpaoTl^
the Soslin fauiilj to Ireland.

He felt he had not fortitnde to mention thoae eoi^eetiirM Is
Antanda; he rather wished she should imbibe them from ber own
obiterratitHi, aod pride, he then tmsted, would ooraa to ha aid, aod
■tiniulate her to overcome her attachment. Dinnar pawed In aHeoMt
when the Bervant was withdrawn, ho resolved to reliere the anrta^
which her looks informed him preaied npon her heart, by mentionlag
the visit of Lord Uortimer; he came, he told her, merely to Mt tb*
■tote the castle waa in, and thas proceeded: "Lord Uortlniar ia,
indeed, an ek^nt and sensible young man, and will do b<»oar to
the house fVora whence he is descended ; be hod long wished, be told
met to visit the eetato which was endeared to bim by the lemam* ~
brancc of liis iiivrL-iiilo duTa; but particularly by ita being the plaoeof

— AuuukIh blushecl, and lier fatlier Etill perceivin;; ospccinlion in hor
L 4;e8, tbua went oa: "Ili« loi^liijj laokinl at some of c!ie ailJao«nt
I grounds, sud as bu luu meutiuued wluit improvemeuto be tbi.>uf;bt
I IteeeEsary Ui be muilc Id theio, I faucj lie \iUl not rupe&t bis viaic ur
rafa; mach longer in tbe kingdom."

fc _ In « few minutes aftar tliia convarsBtion, Fitzalan repaired to hia
■HbrBTy, uid AmundB to the garden ; a)ie Lutoned t« tbe temple —
Piercr bodsbe before thoiigbt it so pictaresque, or such an addition ta
nbe landscape; tbe silunce of Lord Mortimer, on entering it, sbe did
Bipti like ber fatber, believe proceeded altogether fmtn retracing
niMeneB of former Lappiness with bin mother : no, said uhc, in Ibid spot,
Bfb also, perhaps, thought of Amanda.

H True be liad mentioned ber with indifference to ber father, but tlial
BBlght, (and she would flatter herself it did.) proceed from resentment,
Hxcited by ber precii)ated flight from Wales, at a period when bia
Bffeoeived addresses gave him a right to ia&rmaUon about all her
^Bjtdons: and hy her total neglect of him since; tlieir Onit interview,
Bm trusted, would effect a reconciliation, by prodQcing an eijiluna-
■Hon ; her father then, she flattered LeniDlf tender as ha waft, depend*
Hblg on her happiness, anil prc|>o«aessod in Lord Mortimer's faTour,
nroold no longer oppose their altadiment, bat allow Lord Clierbory
wta be informed of it, who, she doubted not, would in this, as welt as
Bknry other inataoce, prove hiiuscif truly feeling and disinterested.
H* Time did Amanda, by encouraging ideas agreeable to her winhes,
^^n to soften the disappoint ment she had experienced in the morning.
Hnlzslao oa meeting his daughter at tea, was not sur|>rlsed to hear
HKe had been in tbe Gothic temple, but he was to see her wear so
faeerfnl on appearance; he was no slranger to the huii'ao bcort, and
f fie was convinced sunie Battering illusion uould alone have ciifiblcd
mSi/r to tboku off the soduesj with which but an hour bclurc, she had
|K«n opprest; the sooner such an iUuuon woe removod, tiie better;
BEd to allow her to see Lord Mortimer, he imagined uouid be the
Bnost effectual measure lor such a purpose.

^f Tbe more he reflected on that young nobleman's manner, and what
^Ka liiuiself had Imard from Lord Cherbury, the more be was con.
HRiuhmI Lady Euphrasia Satherhind was not only the object dcdtinoi!
Hpr Lord Mortimer, but tlie one who now possessed hit^aflcctions; and
Hkbeiietrd his visit to Ca.<t!e Carbcrry bud been mudf, lo nunnunca

17«

RKX or IDE ABBST.

the klteration of his sentiiiieiits b^ the ooldiMM of tdl aoadoat, mA
check anj hope* which bis appeennoe in the nal^boBriKwd mi^
have created.

He had heeitated ebont Amands's aoeeptlng tbo tnTttadw to <!•
KikorboDs* ball, bat be now determined ehe ahcrald go, linpnrt nVk '
the idea of her being there convinoed of the ohanga In Lord UortbMA
setttimoDta, a oonTiction he deemed neoeMory to prodneo on* b km

Amanda impatiently longed for thli oi^t, -wiUL eho ballnrci
would realiie Mther her hopes or feara.

CHAPTER XX.

A crinuoD bhah b<r beanteou fka oViptwili
TirjUif b*t stiMki by tDm wUb wUMtBlndt

Rod ben uid Ihen, sod Hudi kDd fkda ^mtsi

17T

not At least surpass uiy Ainiuiiiai roeeknasB and iimcKeDce dwell ii|inc
the brow of ray oliild — bttl the hanghty mardiioneas will itJioL lu'ido
lo lower npon Lody EnphrsBliL"

AmantU, on reaching Grangcville, foand the avenue full ni' <yir-
riiges; ibelightodispersed through the hoiwe,gHveit quiw the (iii|»?ar-
once of an iUamination : it Beenied indeed the mAiisinn of guietj niid
tpkndoar ; her knees trembled aa she osoeuded tJie bljiin>, nbc wislicd
for time to compoBe herself, bat the door opened, lier nniiiO was
annouDced, and Mrs. Kiloorban came forward to reoeive her. Tlia
room, thongh gpacioos, was extremely crowded; it was decorated iu
a &Dcifnl manner with foBtoons of flowers intcrminfcled witli vui-iega-
ted lamps; immediately over the entrance was tiie on:be«lra, aiid
opjiomte to it sat the marchioness and lier party. Tho heart of
Amanda best if possible with iocroased qiiiuknesa, on the approach of
Mra, Kilcorban, and her Toioe was lost in her emotions; reoolleutiug,
however, the scrutiniziDg eyes of Lord Mortimer and her imperious
relatJona were now on her, she almoet immediately recovered compo-
sore, and with her nsnnl elegance, walked up the room. Jlofit of th»
company were strangers to her, and she heard a geuoral biizit of
"''Who ia she}" accompanied with expressions of admiration from tlie
gentlemen, among whom were the officers of a garrison town uvar
Grangeville. Contused by the notice she attracted, she hnateuoj to
the first seat she found vacant, which waa near the raarchiiine.ss.

Universal, indeed, was the adiniratiou she had excited among t)ie
male part of the (ompany, by her beauty, nuafFeoted graced, and
Gimplioity of dress.

Bhe wore a robe of pale white lutestring, and a crape turbnn, orna-
monted with a plnme of drooping feathers : she liad no Rppanranin
of finery, except a chain of pearls abont her bosom, from which
littng her motlior's picture, and a light wreath of embroidered Innrei,
intermingled with silver blossoms round her petticoat. Her hair in
its own Dative and glossy hne, floated on her shimlders, and partly
sliadcil a cheek, where tlie purity of the lily was tintal wilh Ihu
softest bloom of tiie rose; on ginning a seat her courusion sulwidcd:
she lookeil np, and the first eyes she met were those of Ixird Morti-
mer (who leaned on Lady Euphrasia Sutherland's chnir) &sten[:J im
lior face with a scmtinizing caniestness, as if ho wiahwl to peno^to
tlif rocesjcs of her heart, and diiicnver whether he yet rdiiiiied \

178

COILDBCK OF TBI ABBBT.

place in it; sLe bloabed, and looking Cram him, perui'rad di* vip ^
olject of critical attention to tbe marchioneH and Ladj EaphnflK;'
there was a maliguant «zpr«wion in thtir GonntenanoeB whldi aoa»^
Intel? shocked her; and die felt a sensation at borror at b«bol^Iiq[
the former, irho had so lerKelf contribnted to the aonowa of Iter
mother, " Can it be pcaoible," said Lady Eux>braala, rqdyiiig to B
f onng and elegaut officer who stood by her, la a tone of aflbptatioa,
and with an impertinent sneer, "that jod think Iwr handioqwr'
"IlBiiiIsomel" exclaimed be with warmtl^ aa If invohuitafitf nniaiti
ing her lAdyahip'i words, "I think her bewitching Irrwbdbla; t)v^
told me I was coming to a land of saints ;" but glft"'^"g bis ■pw**'^
ejes aronnd, and finng them on Amanda, '^I find that It la ilia lanii"
of goddesses."

The marchioneas haughtily frowned— Lady Enpbra^ mO*! ■9'^'
rieally, toseedber bead and played witb her fan; tbe propeonfiM *t
eayy and ill-natnre, which the marchioneee had shown in ber yooPif
were not leaa viable in ^e : as they were then esdted on bar own
account, bo were they now on her daughter's, to engnMs pralaa aa^
admiration for her, she wished beanty blasted, and merit estbpiitoil;

komea inGniuly below Lt-i in nuk aad fortone, more notioeil ilian

^ At tlie ball nliu supposed she elwolJ have appeared as litlle less, ai
faist thac a deiui-gixideati; art and roshiou were ei]uLual«d in wlorn-
|pg btr, luid !>lie entered Uie room wUli artlie ioBuleace ut cunsclutv-
nok an<l oSectntion of beaiit;. Aa she walked abe appeared BcaroeI>
^e to supiwrt bur delicate frame, and her 'langaisliing eyes wen
^alf-dos^. She uoQld, however, see tbera was a nuitibcr of protl.^
konien present, and felt disconcerted; the reapect, however, whioli
die was paid, a little revived her; and having contrived to detaiu
ifud Jfurtimec by her chair, sod Sir Charles Biaglef, the young
ofioer already mentioDed, who wad a colonel of a regimeut quartered
b an a4jacent town, she soou felt her spirita imooramonly exhiUratod,
]m the attentiona of two of tlie most elegant men iu the room : and
Ike a proud aultano, in the midat of her slaves, was e^joyiug the
Mmpliment^ afie eitorCetl from them by her prefatory epeeuhes, when
|lte door opened, and Amanda, like an angel uf light, appeared, to
Hisolve (Jie mists of vanity and solf-irnportancc. Lord Mortimer wan
Btent, but his sjieoklng eyes confe&sed hia feelings, Bir Charles
Hsgley, wlio hod no secret motive for concealing hia, openly avowed
Ife admiration, to wliicb Lady Euphrasia replied, as has been already
Kentioneil.

L All Hie rapture Sir Charloa cipveased. Lord Mortimer felt; hia aoid
tnmed on the wing t» By tii AnianJo, to utter its feeling to discover
pin, and chide lier for her conduct. This (imt emotion ui tendeniesa,
ipwever, quiiJily snbvided, on recolletting wlint Uiat oau 1uot hod
Ijpeik— how nruelly, bov ungratefully she had used him,— lieu in tha
Ijbry moment of hope and eipeototion, leaving Iiim a prey to distrust,
pnxie^ and regret : bo druidod liome fatal iiiyatery, some improper
phachment, (experience had rendered hiin siispiciouaj which neither
Bm nor her father onuld avow: for never did he iuiagine that Iht
hr-pulous delicacy of ritznlun alone hod effected their separation ;
Kp atHl adored Amanda : he neitlier could or destrcal to drive her from
Ui thon^hta, except well assured she was nnwonhy uf being barbour-
b in them, and felt unutterable impatience to have her mysterious
Hndnct ei|)laiiied. — From Tudor Hstl be bod repaired to London,
batles* and unhappy; »«m after hia arrival there, the marqui*
Mopo^ed his accompanying lilui lo Imliind : this be decUned, having

180 OHILDKIH or THE ABBXT.

TMSon to think Lord Ofaerbarr m«dlUtod on alHaiiM Ibr Uni vM
bis fiunilf. Th« mrl expresMd regret &t hia nfml; ha wld ha
wished lie would Jain the m&rq'ais't partj, u ho wuttd hit opintoD
rebldve to the stato of Oa«lle Cnrberry, where a mm of Integri^ then
redded: who wonld make any alterations or retain ha ad^t Uilok
neoewvy, execated in the mmt elegant manner. He mentioDod tha
name of Fitcalan; Lord Uortimer waa sbk-prised and a^tatod; ha
concealed hia emoticna, howerer, and with appnvaX cardemotm,
adked a few queations aboat him, and found that ha waa indeed the
father of Amanda; she waa not mentioned, ncT did he dan to Inqidra
concerning her; bnt be immediately declared, that rince hla &Uur
wished it ao mnch, he would accompany the marqnia. ^lia wm
extremely pleasing to that nobleman, as he and Lord Oherbnry had,
in reality, agreed npon a onion between him and I^y Enphnria,
and meant, aoon, openly to avow thdr Intention. Lord Kortbnar
anapected, and Lady Eupbrasia was already apprised of I^ and thm
Tanity waa pleased at the idea of being oonnected with a man ao
nniversally admired: love was ont of the qneation, fbr ahe had not
anfBoient sensibility to experience it.

181

1 was to support
a anil tlie giUiantry of Sir
IB to break tlirougb the

The character of & perfect strangET, wu

KtllToiighoDt the evening; but her loreline

»r)es Bingley, tempted him a thousand t)

itraiot he hod imputed on himself.

The marchioDeBA and Ijujj Enphrasia were not the only perBoni

Hapleaeed by the charms of Amanda; the Miaa Kilcorbans saw, with

Bficlcnt mortificatioD, the admiratioa she eicil«d, which they had

^flattered themselves with chiefly engrossing; their dissppointmeat

» dunbty severe, after the pain, tronble, and eipeose they had

^Cndergone, in oniamenting iJieir persons : — after tlie saggestions of

' vanity, and tlie flattiiring encomiums of tlieir iiifluima, who

eaided hersell' at tlicir toilet, every moment exclaiming, '' Well,

1, heaven help the men to-night, girls."

lliey Unttered serosa the room to Amanda, sweeping at least two

yards of painted tiffany after tliem : osanred her they were extremely

glad to see her, but were afraid she was unwell, as aha never looked

so ill. Amanda assured tliem she was conacions of no indisposition,

and the harmony of her fealnres remained undisturbed. Uiw

Kilcorbon, in a bolf-wliisper, declared the marclitonesa had never

Hiniled since she had entered the room, and feared lier loamma had

coroiiiitted a great mistake in inviting tliem tcigether. Tlie rudeness

of thin speech shocked Amanda ; an indignant swell heaved her

bosom, and she was about replying to it as it deserved, when Miss

. Alicia stopped her, by protesting, slie believed Lord Mortimer dying

Ubr I^y Euphrasia. Amanda involuntarily raised her eyes at this

■ifpeech, but instead of Lord Mortimer, beheld Sir Charles liingley,

fwho was standing behind the young ladies. "Am I pardonable,"

cried he, smiling, "for disturbing so cliarming a trio; hot a soldier

id tnoght never to neglect a giwd opportunity, and one so propitions

as the present for the wish of my heart, might not again offer." The

Miss Kilcorbans bridled up at tills speech; played their fens, and

smiled most graciously on him, certainly ooncloding he meant lo

en^uge one or the other for the first set; passing gently between

them, he bowed graccl'ully to Amanda, and requested the hotionr of

her hand; she gave an assenting smite, and he sealed himself beside

her, till the danoing commenced ; the aiaters east a malignant glance

o»er them, and swniii oT witli a eontemptiions indifference.

Jjidy Euiilirasiit l.:i(l uxpecleii Sir Charles and Lord Mortimer

k

in CBtLSKIM O-r IBM ABBXX.

VonU iMve been competitors fw her hand, mi wm Infinttalj pi^
Toked by the desertion of the former to her ]ordy coodn; h» wm*
foahloDable and animated young man, whom aha had aftas bowml
with her notice in England, and wished to enliat in tha tnin of b^F
■upposed ailororo. Lord Uortimer coold aoarcdy reaton W goqd
bnmonr by engaging ber. Almost immediat«Iy attar hiiq youg
Kiloorbui advanced, for the lame pnrpoea, and Lotil HottitBar
iiDceiely regretted he bad l>eeD beforeliand with him. Iha little Ibp
<raa quite chagrined at finding her ladyship engaged, bnt entnptal
the next Mt he might have the anpreme honour, and eztatio ftUci^,
of her band ; this, with the meet impertinent aSeotadoD, iha pn>-
mised, if able to endure the fatigne of another danoe.

Amanda was next oonpla to Lady Euphrasia, and eDdMTOtmd^
therefore, to cahn her epirits, which the rudeneat of IGm Kilcorban
had discomposed; stie attended to the lively oonvenation of Sir
Charles, who was extremely pleasing and entertiuning. Lprd ]Iot>
timer watched thorn with Jenlatis attention; his wandering glaoMa
were soon noticei] by Lady Euphrasia, and her frowns and larcaatlo
speeches oriaced her dispkoaui-e at them. He tried to readleafc
himself, and act as politeness rcquire<I ; she, not satisfied with fixing

■teadiog Dp), to leek a pnitnsr, Al iLe same mom^cit Lord Mc-rlimer
'<{Qitt«i] La*)}' ZupliraHiH ; nUI haw tlio bosom of Amanda tlirubbed,
iiTljeii sLe saw him aiiproach aadlook at her; he paused — n fointoess
Mma over her — he oast another glance on her, and ]>ftS3(jd on ; — licr
qn followed hitn, and she saw liiui take out Mies Eilcorban.

TbiB, indeed, was a (U&a[iointmunt ; proprietor, she tboughl.
(lematided hh dancing tlie lirsl set with Lady Euphrasia: but if not
totally iudifferent, anrelj ho would not hare neglected engo^Dg her
for liie Bucond ; " Yea," said she t<.> herBtH " be has totally forgotteu
me ; La<1y Euphrai^ia ia now the otjcct, aud he only pays attentiuD to
ttiuse who can cotitiibiite to lier umnsenient.'' ISeverol gentlemen
endeavoured to prevail on Iter to daiicc, bat she pleaded faiigne, and
Mt aolitarj ia a window, apparently rtsarding the gay Bssembly, but
in reality, loo much engroaaed by painfid thoughts to do so. The
Vooda, silvered by the boaiua of the moon, recalled tlio venerable
•hades of Tudor llall to meinorj, where she had so often rambled by
the same pale heoiua, and heard vows of nnoliangeahle regsxd — vow*
roistered in her heart, yet now without thij hope of Laving them
ftlfillod. The dancing over, the company repMrod to another room
tar rufreslinients. Amanda, absorbed in thought, heeded not their
■Imost total desertion, til] yonug Eilcorban, capering np to her,
declared she looked an lonesome as a hermit in his cell, and laughing
in her face, turned off with catcIcss iinperlinence ; be had not
'BoUoed ber before tliat night; he was indeed one of those little
fluttering insects, who bask in the rays of furtnue, and coart alone
her favourites; elated by an acquaintance n-Hh the marcliionesB ant]
Iddy Enphraaa, he parljcolarty neglected Amanda, not only for
'deeming them more worthy of his attention, but from perceiving he
eould take no stop more certain of gaining their tavoor. His words
tnade Amandu sensible of the singnlarity of her situnlJoD ; she arose
lediately, and went to the other roo'n. Every settt was already
;«cciipied; near the door sat Lady Euphrasia and the Ui^a Eilcor-
tans; I/ird Mortimer leaned on the back of her ladyship's chiur, and
^ung Kiloorban occupied one by her side, which he never attempted
'DfTering to Amanda; she stood, therefore, most unpleasantly by the
^or, and was exceedingly confused at hearing a great many, in a
Vhiapering way, remarking the strangeness of her not being noticed
^ an n^iar a relation as the iDar;hioue8.s of Rix^linc- A general litt«(

IM cniLDKEN OF TUX ABBET.

at her ■itaalioD prevailed among Lady EuplirwU'i par^, Iiord 3lfir>
timer eiceiited. "Upon m; word," tali jotmg Eileorban, iwnHn^
at AmuidA, " some ladies stiulf atUtudes, wljich wonld be as well lei
aloDo." — " For the study cf proptiet]'," replied har ladyahip, wha
appeared to have unbended from ber hsuglitiacas, "'she would do
admirably for the fignre of Ilope." "If she had bat one aoolior to
reoline on," r^oinad he. "Yes," anBvrered her ladytliip, "witJl faw.
floating locks and die-away glancee." " Or eUe Patience on a noni^
ment," cried he ; " Only die has no grief btn to acnUe at," tetamad
I.ady Euphrasia. " Pardon me there," eaid he, "she has the gria^
not indeed that I believe she wodd smile at It, of bung totaQj
eclipaed by yonr ladyship." ,

" Or what do yon think," oHel Lord Mortimer, whoee qyea q>arUed
with indiguatioQ dnring this dialogne, "of likening her tc Wisdom,
pitying the folliee of hnman-kind, and smiling to see the ahafb of
malice recoiUng from tbe bosom of innooenoe and modeaty with (!an-
teuipt on those who levelled them at It."

Amanda heard not these words, which were delivered in rather ■
low voice ; her heart swelled with indignation at the impertlnenoo
directed to bor, and she would liave quitted the room, liut tbat tiie

CUILOHElt or 'IDS ABBCT. IBS

%ba8e ill qualities she declared her looks annonoced ber to poaiiees,
I endeavoiired to depreciate her in his favour, but that wm
Impossible.
**Lord!" said Ladf Enphrasia, rising as she spoka, "let me pass,
is scene is sickening." Lord Mortimer remained behind ber: be
Mtered abont the room and bia looks were ofUn directed towards
Anianda; ber bopes began to revive: tbe lostre rekindled in berures,
and a soft blnsb again etole over ber cheek : though engaged to Sir
Charles, she felt abe coold be pleosed to have Lord Mortimer maVe an
Overtwe for lier hand. Tlie company were now returning lo the
ball-room, and Sir Charles took her bond to lead her after tljem. At
-this moment Lord Mortimer approocbed ; — Amanda paused, as if to
actjost some part of her dress: be passed on to a very beantifii) girl,
irhom he immediatclj engaged and led her from tbe room; shefolbwed
a with her eyes, and oontinned withont moving, tiH tbe fe«-vent
■e Sir Charles gave her hand restored ber lo recoUectJon.
When tbe set witli him was finished, ehewonld have left tbe boose
'directly, bad her servant been there : but after putting np tbe horses,
•iM had returned to Castle Carberry, and she did not expect him till a
J late hour. She declared ber resolatlon of dancing no mora, and
■Bir Charles having avowed the same, tbe; repured to tbe card room,
M tlie least crowded room they couHI find. Lady Greystock was
Splaying at the table, with tbe marquis and marchioness; sbe
(beckoned Amanda to her, and having bad no opportunity of speaking
before, expressed her pleasure at then seeing her. Tbe marquis
MAmined her through his spectacles — tbe marcbione^ frowned, aod
declared, " Sbe wonld take care in future, to avoid parties, subject to
teeb disagreeable intruders." This speech was too pointed not to be
tamarked : Amanda wished to appear nndisturlied, but her emotions
rew too powerfnl to be suppressed, and she was obliged to move
ftaetily from the table. 6ir Charles followed her; "Cursed malig*
Wty," cried he, endeavonring to screen ber from observation, while
tears trickled down her cheeks; '^but, mj dear Miss FiUalan, was
g/oai beantj and merit less conspicnous, you would have escaped it;
Ms the vioe of little minds to hate that eicellenco they cannot reach,"
is cmel, it is shocking," said Amanda, " to enSer enmity to out-
bre the object who excited it, and to bate the olBtpring on acccnnt
r the parent; the (iriginol of this picture," and sbe loake<1 at bet

IM CBII.DEKI OF THE ABBIT.

taMttr'*, "oMrited not nch eomlnet." 8r Chsriw pmi n U; fe
WM vet with the letn at Amanda ; he wiped tbem (^ »^ V^"^*^
the handkerchief to his lips, put it in his IxMom.

At this initant Lord Mortimer q)peared ; be had, indeed, bMB Ar
tome time an annotioed obeerrer of the progna of tliie ttto-A-tttn
AsuonuheperMiredhehadattnctM tb«ir ngud k« qnitlad Ito

" itii lordriiip is like e tnnbled apirit to nlitit, mnd^ng to aod
fro," Mid Sir Cliarlu, "I really believe everjiuiif H not ligbt
between him and Lady Eophruia.'' "Bwnethiiy tbeo," <tM
Amanda, " !■ in agitation between him and her UTiUp." "B» MfB
t)ie world," replied Sir Cliarles, " bat I do not alwqv pre ImplWt
credit to ila reports: 1 liaFe known Lord Mortimer thia long :in%
anil from mf knowledge of liim, should nerer haTe mppoaed Isij
EnphMKiBi Butlierland a woman capable of pleeaiDghim: nay, togivB
my real oiiiniun, 1 tliink him quite Qnintereeted ^loiit her ladjahlp ; I
will not laj n much si to all other femalei prewnt ; I mlly
Imagined lercral times to-night from liis glsuMa to yon, he waa OB
the point of requesting an introdactioo, which wonld not hsTb

B CUlLUftKM or TBX tSBKT. l&T

baen at Iier departure trom Castle Carberrf; pale, treioblmg, and
lasKaitl, lier fatLer received her into hia aims; for till niie returned,
be could Dot tikink of going to rest, aod instimtlj gue:«e4i the canso
of ber d^ectioQ. His heart luoQi'iied for the pao^ tnfiicted do hla
cliild's. 'Wben she beheld liim gazing cm her witli lulugled woe and
tenderness, she tried to reorolt her siilrita, and relating a few pnrticn-
lara of the ball, answered the minoie inquiries be made relative to tfaa
oondnct of the marchiouess and La<ij Euphratila. He appeared
DnutterabI; afibctad on hearing it; "Ueroiflil power," esclaiuied he,
"what dispoidtiona : but yoa are loo lovely — too like j'our mother,
my Amanda, in everj perfection, to escape their malice — oh I may It
never iryure yon, as it did ber ; may that Providence, whose protec-
tion I daily implore fur the Bweet child of my love, the aourca of
«irthly comfort, render every scheme which may be formed against
her abortive ; and oh I may it yet Wese me with the flight of ber

Amanda retirad to her ohamber ioexpresaibly affected by tho lan-
guage of her father : " Tea," cried she, her heart swelling with pity
and gratitude to hiui, "my sorrow ia future shall be concealed, to
avoid eioiting his; — the pain inflicted by thy inconstancy, Mortimer,
ahaU be hid withiu tlio reoedsee of my heart, and never shall the
peace of my father be disturbed, by knowing tho logs of mine."

The grey dawn was now beginning to advance, bat Amanda had
no inclination for reyoee : as siie stood at the window, abe heard the
aolctun slillnetM- of tlie SMne frequently interrupted by Uie distant
noitfe of carriages, carrying home the weary bodi and dflQghten of
diasipotion. " Bat a few hours ago," aaid she, '' und how gay, how
animated wns my soul: how dull, bow cheeriesa now: — Oh, Morti-
mer, but a few hours ago, and 1 believed myself the beloved of thioe
heart ; but the flattering illusion is now over, and I no lunger shall
be^e, or tbon deceive:" she ohanged ber clothas, and fliuj^irg herself
K the bed, from atere tatigne sunk into a alumber.

w

OBILDKXX O*

TBI ABBBT.

■Igli hMrad hsrlMnam; but it iru rather llia rigk of iCgret ttaa
plewnre ; with inoh an aeranl h this, Lord Kortinur wu woot to
addnm her at Tudor Hall, but she bad now naaon to thiak it tmlj
auuined, fur the pnrpou of disoovering whvUiar ibe jtit retaioed a^j
feiuibility for him. llad be not ti«Med ber witb tha moat poioMd
ne^«ot: waa be not tbe declared admirer of lAdyEnphnuia I haihc
not confeaaed, on entering the room, lie oama to aMk not bar, bot ber
&tliert Theee ideas nwhing throngfa her mind, detarmlned hm to
eomlnne no longer witb him : delicacj aa wdl aa pride urged bar to
thla; for ihe fisared, if abe longer liiteaed to bia trt'n"eting '""fTp,
it migbt lead her to batraj tbe fieeliiige «f ber heart; dM tbweAM
aroae, and aaid she wonld aoqnaint her father bla hvdablp waited fcr
Urn.

"Cold, insendble Amaodfi," cried he, anatohlDg ber hand, to pi»-
Tent her departing, "is it thna job leave met Wbm we parted la
Vales, I could not have believed we should ever bave bad meh b
meeUng na this."

"Perluqis not, mj lord," replied elie, wmewbat ban^tllji "ktt
e botli ihongltt more praJently aincp tliat pcrii)d,"

101

isUkcn i

d," cried sbe, (tartlag Had itmggling to witliilraw har buul.
VI^oiui»e, tl<«n, To dic^I iu«," he said, rJii« ereulng, r1 St. Catharine'*,
f Bevcii, or I will Dul let jon go ; my eonl will bo in turlure till I

0 joar Mliona ei plained." " I do prornine,'' saiil Auiaiidn. Lord
mer releasci) ber, and Hh« retired into ber duiinber juet liiiio
h to Nvold lier fnther.
tin Ler Lopee began to revive; egola she believed ihe wu not

1 Boppiisiiig Lord Uorlimer bad come JoU) Irelaud on tier

nt. Hie being uieiilioned as tbe admirer of Lndj EEiphrouo,

Bappoeed owiag to Lis being a residant in the home with h«r. —

iC berselt', bod lie beon indiflereut, he Dever conkl have betrayed

enMitUiDs; his looks, ae well as hia language, expressed the feel-

if a heart l«ndorly altaolied and truly distressed. l*it any cir-

e had happened, nhich would prevent a renewal of that

chment, she felt oa mach impatience aa he manifested, to give the

d ei{ilanUi(iu of her conduct.

> His lordship was Hcarccly gone, ere Lady Greyatoeli made bar

Amnnda siippused, as nsofd, ahe only came to pay a

jring viitt; how great, Uien, was her mortiSeation and surprise,

□ ber ladyship told her she yraa come U> spend tlie day quite iu

t family vay with her, as the ladies of Qrangevllle were so busy

Mpariog for a splendid entertainment they were In be at Uio ensu-

g day, that they had esuluded all visitors, and rendered the house

^te disigrewble.

loda endeavoured to appear plooaed, but to couvcrae she fonnd
oat imposible, her tlimights were so engrossed by an absent
Ml; happily her ladyship was so very loqnacioua bersell^ as at all
■ Ui require > hatener more than a speaker; she was therefore

1 salisHed with tlie tAcitarnity of ber fair companion. Amanda
o derive some comfort fl-om the bo|je tliat her ladyship would

't early in the evening, lo which she fiattered herself she would

{^induced by (be idea of a comfortable wbist party at home. Bnt

[ o'clock Etmdc and she manifested no inclination to move.

leanda waa in agony; her cheek wia finsbed with a^tatioa; ahe

« and walked to the window, to conceal her emotion, whilst her

IT and Lady Greyetock were convenung; the former at la«t sai^

d some letters to write, and begged her ladyship to eictise hi*

• for a f*w minute.''. — Thii she most p^cioii>ly promiMwl Oi do

ISa CMILDUBH or TBB ABBItr.

ud pnlliDg out her knotting^ reqnested Amanda to read U

time. Amandu look np a book, but was so confused, dbe Bcoroe)]'

liuew what, or how she read.

"SufUy, softly, my dear child," at last oxulaimed her ladyship,
whoBO attention could by no roeam keep pace with the rapid manner
in wbioh ehe read. '4 protest yon poet on with as raueb espeuitioa
a» my Lady Blerner's ponies on the circular." Amanda blushed Mtd
bet;aa to read iduwly ; bnt when the ciook struck seven, licr f«eliD|^
could no longer be repressed. " Good heoven," cried she, letting tba
book drop trom her band, and starting from her chair, "tiiu is too
much." " Bless me, uy dear," said Lady Grcjstock, staring at her,
^ What is the matter j" " Only a blight boad-oclie, mulaio, answered
Amanda, continuing to walk about the room.

Her busy liuioy represented l«rd Mortimer now impatiently wut-
ing for her — tbinkitig in every sonnd which echoed among the diMO-
late ruins of St. Catliarine's ho heard her firatsteps, his sool mating
with tenderoess at tlie ides of a perfect reconciliation, which an
unsatisfied doubt only retarded. What wonld he infer from her not
keeping an a;>poiiit[nent so ardently desired, so solemnly promiaed.

bcr befaftvjour, and aiiologizing for the manner in wRicL b)« Lai]
aoted, took lier seat with some degree of coiuposore. FiCziiIiiu scon
after entered the room, and t«a wob made ; when over, Lady Gref-
stock declared they wer« a anng party for tbrec-Landed wbist.
Amanda would gladly have eicneed beraelf irom being of the party,
bat poll tenosa made her conceal her relnctance; her estreme d^ec-
tioD wu noticed both by Fitzalan andber ladysltip; the latter iu)|iu>
ted it to regret at not being permitte<l by her father to accept an
LuTitatiou she bad received for a ball the enaning evening.

"Don't fret abont it, my dear creatare," eoid she, laying doivn Uii»
oarda ti> administer the consolation she required, "■ 'tia not by freijaent-
ing balla and public places a girl alwaya stands the best chance of
being provided for ; I, for my part, have been married three timei,
yet Dover made a couqtieet of any one of my husbanda in a publia
I'lace: no, it was the privacy of my lU^ partly obtained for me ao
loany proola of good fortime.'' — Fitzalan and Amanda laughed. " I
shall never bo disiuitisEed witb staying at home," Bn.id tlie latter,
" though witliuut either expecting or desiring to hiiTe my retirement
recompensed as your ladyship's was,"

"One prize will satisfy yon then," Bwd Rtzalan. "All I" cried
Lady Greyetock, " it is Lady Euphrasia BulherJand >rlio will obtain
the capital one; I don^t know where such another young man as
Lord Mortiiner is to be found." "Then yoor lailyshlp sapposeii,"
lud Fitzalan, " there is some truth in the reports circulated, relativfl
to bim and Lady Enphraaia." "I assure you there is," said aha,
"and I tlunk the connection to be a very eligible one; their birth,
their fortones are equal-" But oh i thought Amanda, how unlike
their dispositions. "I dare say," proceeded her ladyUiip, "Lady
Enphraaia will have changed her title before this time next year."

Fitzalan glanced at Amanda; her &ce was deiuily pole, and dIia
pnC him and Lady Greyslock out in tlie game by the eri-ora she com-
ntitttid. At lost the carriage frora Grasgeville arrived, and broke up
a parly Amanda could not much longer have supported. Iler father
perceived the painful elTorts ahe made lo conceal hor diatreaa: he
pitied her from his son], and pretending to think ahe was only iudia-
posed, entreated her to retire lo her chamber. Amanda gladly com-
plied with this entreaty and began lo meditate on what Greystock
bad said: Was there not n probabillCy of its being true! Might not

184 1. ]i I 1. iiiiKS or TiiK ABarv.

the IniliSbrdnuo Lurd Uxirliiuor Iisil monirtated on bis lint Utlvp
Uio ni-igbboarUooJ, Ituve rtiatly originated &am a clianpa of aflb^
HudbI iniglit not the tenJcrti#» lie displajud iu the inorauig, him
be«n concerted with the hope of its induciug hor to gratify his taai-
o«t;, bj ralatjug tho retktoa of ber jonnie; from Wales, or plcue
hia vanity by tempting her to give some proof of attachment! But
she soon receded from this idea, lady GrejBlock was not iolaUihtA
In her judgment: it'iMrta of appronobing onptiab Amanda knew had
of>,en Ixiou riusod without any foundation for tham ; tlie preMDt
report, relative to Lord Uurtimer and Lady Euphrasia, ml^it ba one
of that naltira; she could not believa him so egrcgioualy vaia, or M>
deiiberiitcly ba^e, as to counterfeit teDdernewi, merely for the purpoaa
of Imviug his cariosity or vanity gratified; she telt, however, troljr
Bcliappy, aud uontd derive no couBotation bnt from tiio hope that her
MisperiHe, at least, would soon be terminated.

She pR«.->ed a restle.^ nigbt, nor was her luorning more oompoaad j
■he i;uul'J nut settle to any of ber usna] avocations; every at«p ab*
hoird, shu started in expectations of instantly seeing Lord Uortimar,
but ho did not appear. After dinner, she walked out alone, and took

^V CUItDBES OP THB ABBET. 195

^^Uad jHfit turned the cloisters, trbcii I heard a quiet foot pacin); titer

^HBlB : well, I, gnpposing it to be one of the sisters, w&lked hIowI; thaV

^K 'Ae migljt easily overtake mo ; but jou may guess my surprise when

I waB overtaken, not by one of them indeed, but by one of the flneat

and most beaotifol young men 1 evor beheld. Lord how he did

aUtrt when he saw me, just for all the world as if I were a ghost:

P looked quite wild, and flew off muttering something to himself.
ill, I thoaght all thJB atrange, and was making all the haste I coald
the oonvent, when he appeared again, coming from under that
Drokeo arcli, and he bowed and smiled so sweetly, and held his liat
in hb Land so respectfully, whilst he begged my pardon for the alarm
he had given me; and then he blushed and strove to hide his conf^-
■ion with bia handkerobief, while he asked me if I bod seen e'er a
yantig lady about the rains that evening, as a particalar friend had
Informed him she would be there, aud desired him to esoort Ler

^^^ "Why, my dear sir," says I, "I have been about this place the
^^Ppbole evening, and here has neither hei.'n man, woman, or child, bat
^^Bod and myself; so the young lady changed bcr mind and took anoth-
^Hlr ramble." " So I suppose," said he ; and he looked so pale, and so
^^RpelBnchuly, I could not help thinking it was a sweetheart he had
^^Haen seeking ; so by way of giving him a bit of comfort, " Sir," says
^Hl " if you will leave any marks of the young lady yon were seeking,
^BWth me, I will wateh here myself & little longer for her, and if she
^H-tttmea, I will lell her how nDcasy yon were at not Ending her, and bo
^Blibre to despatch her after you." "No, he tlianked me," be said,
^HVbut it was of very little consequence, hid not meeting her, or indeed
^^HAether he ever met her again," and walked away.
^^m, "Did h«!" said Amanda.
^Hj "Bless met" eiulainie^. tl.e nun, "you are worse instead of

^H] Amanda acknowledged she was, and rising, reqnestod she would
^^BlVinse her for not paying her compliments that evening at the

^^F,Bister Uary pressed her to drink tea with the prioress, or at least
^^^ba some of her excellent cordial; but Aimmda refiised both
^^Haqneeta, and the affectionate nan saw her depart with reluclanM.
^^F flnarcely had she regained the road, ere a coaeli and six, ^twjfAiA

tea cuiLUiiE:* or thh abukt.

and followed by i number of sttendants, approaofaed vitb auela
qoiclmess, that site was obliged to step aside to avoid it : looking in
mt the window as it passed, she saw Lord Mortimer and Lady EuphrA'
Bia seated in it, opposite to eocb other; she saw tbey both perceiTed
ber, and that Lady Eapbrasla laughed, and pnt ber head forward to
slAre imperciiienlly at her. — Amandsi was mortified that tbey had
•een ber ; there was HoiuetblDg at the mouient huinillaliiig iu tba con-
trast between their aitHBtlon and bers; she, d^ucted and solitary;
they, adorned and attended with all the advantages of fortune. But
in the eatimatJOD of a liberal mind, cried she, the want of sncli advan-
tages can never lessen nie — such a mind as I Batter myself Lord
Uortimer possesses. Ah, if be thinke as I do, be would prefer ft
lonely ramble in the desolate spot 1 have Just quitted, to aJI tli*
parade and magnilioence he is about witnessing. The night part
heavily away, the idea of Lord Mortimer's devoting all Ids alleDtion
to Lady Enphraaie, could not be driven from ber mind.

Tba neit morning the tirst object she saw, i^ going to tlie window,
was a large frigate lying at nucliur near the castle. Ellen entering her
chamber, sighing heavily, as she always did, iudeed, at Uie bigbt of «
ship, said, she wished it contained ber wandenng sailor. Amanda
indulged a hope that Lord Mortimer would appear in tJie course of tha
day, but she was disappointed. She retired after tea in the evening
to her dressing room, and seated in tbe window, ei^oyed a calm and
beautiful scene ; not a cloud couc<?aled tbe bright azure of the flrma-
ment ; tbe moon spread a line of silver radiance over the waves, that
Stole with a roolanciioly murmur upon tbe shore; and the nlence
which reigned around, was only interrupted by the faint noise of Iha
mariners on board the frigate, and their evening dram. At last
Amanda heard the paddling of oarf, and perceived a large boat
ooming from the ship, rowed by edlors in white shirts and ti'owser^
their voices keeping time to their oara. The appearance they mad*
was picturesque, and Amanda watched them till tbe boat disappeared
among the rocks. The supper bell soon after summoned ber from th«
window ; but scarcely had she retired to her chamljer for the nigh*,
ere Ellen, amiling, trembling, and apparently overcome with joy,
appeared.

"I have seen him," cried she, hastily, "oh, maUm, I have been
poor Chip himself and he is as kiod and as lriic-hefirt*d oa ever

I S went thJA evening to the villnga to Bee old Norob, to whom 7011
I'WBt tbe lioeii, for abe is a pleading kind of pot;, and does not laagh
f Ska the rest at one, for their Welch tongue ; ho when I waa reluming
r^me, and at a guot tistonoe trom her cabin, I saw a great DDiuber
I Jtf men coming towards mo all dressed in white j to be sure, as I

^d a great teal apout te white p«}'3, 1 thongbt these wore notldog
and I did so quake and tremble, for there were neither hole, or
f ^osh, or tree, on the epot, that wtiuld have aholtered one of the little
I tbity Curies of Poiimaontnawr. — Well, they came on, shouting and
K jai;ghing, and merrier than I thought snch rognes ought to be; and
Kue moment tlioy eapied me, thej gntherod around me, and began
Efcdliug me apout ; bo I gave a great scream, and tlrectly a voice (lort,
Kjww mj heart jumped at it,) crieil ont that is Eilen ; and to b« snra
KJxoor (JLip soon had me in his arms; and then I heard they were
nitilora fkim the Irigatc, come to get provisioua at the village; so I
ElRaiiad paok with ihem, and Uicy had a great powl of whiakey pnnoh,
K#nd ■ whole sight of cakes, and Chip told me all his adventures ; and
■jhs was so glad when he heard I lived with you, because, be said, jou
WMW^ B sweet, mild young lady, and ho woa sure you would sometimee
HpnuDdoieof liim, and he hopeasoon to get his discharge, and then —
K, " You are to be married," said Amanda, interpreting the blushes and
npitatiun of Ellen.

WS " Tea, matam, and I assure yon Chip is not altered for the worse by
Km flea-faring life ; his voice, indeed, is a little of the roughest, but hi
IJbald me that was owing to his learning Uiepoabiwuiu's wliistle; poor
Kfcllnw. he sails to-morrow niglit; the ship is on the Irish station, and
MJJuy are to coast it to Dublin."

■^ "Happy Ellen," aaid Amanda, as she retired from her chamber,
■jythy perturbations and disquietudes are over; asanred of the affection
B^tby village swain, peace and clieerfulaess wiU reuume their empire
Hpi thy breast."

kT "The next evening, at twilight, Amanda went down to the beacb
Ij^fh lier father, to see the fishermen drawing their seines on shore,
Vhn i/hivh their hopes and the comfort of tlieir family de[>end.
RWhilst Fittalan conversed witli them, Amanda rested liorself on a low
HDdc, to observe their motions; in the murmnr of the waves there
Phns a gentle melancholy, in unisoi. with her present feelings; from a
■VCDsive medilalion, which had gradually rendered htr inatWDlive lu

US

OMILDSax

ow Tsa ABBsr.

ths .Mm bafiue her, ihe vm raddanlj ranad bf tiIni hMti -(Nil
Bhe itarUil from har seat, tat in on* of than riM Inmtiifl As jRJlb
tiogiililicdtheBMeiitof LordUortbtwr; norTM dia oditalMa|||^
wu (MeDding » winding patli near hor, aMOi^aalad I7 a B>rd lifff
««r. To pua witfiont sMing b«r was impo«ibla; aad «&■ in)iMri>f§
h«r,F« stopped, appaniitlyliwUtiiigwhetbar or ant htdiaaU«Mtatf
her. Id m few minute^ hU b«lt»a<M vaSai witb wniat U« lii|<r
k«r^tf M if to bid her mdien, whlkt ha praiMdad taaaiHfll|«g|
wbicn bftd been for rame ttma lying in • emek h
which, on reoetTing him and Ua o
thefHg»t«. AmMida tMmbM, her heart beat Tfata4;r. BNiM
■infor.n»d b«r Um ftigate wm to sail that n]^; and lAat. «f4
Indnoe lord Moitimw to riritit ataocb an hoar, auNfitaata
of depdrtiog la it.

Unoertunt? la dreadnil ; alte grew alok witfa anxiety brfbra kar
&ktherT«lwii«dt« theCMtle; 00 entering It, abetinmaiHat^y wfiha^
to her ohamber, and oalUng £Uea haatilj, demanded tf Obifft iiMJb
genoa «4a true. - ,>

■Alas I yoe," replied Ellen, necpiiig liolenllj-, "and I know tlia

kin^ont at the warea and lislenii.g to tlie winds. "Wdl, liasteo
" criwl Le, " aud tell licr ahe a ill oblige iiie greatly by raeetlag
s unmediatel; nt tUc rtraks beyond tlie castle." I promised him I
raid, and lie put, nay, int«<id, forced Gve guineas into my liand, and
d oft anutber roud, charging me not to forget, pat as I was uear
jforah'e, I thought I might jnst atep In to soe how she did, and when
JtUtt her 1 met poor Cliip, and lort know* I am afraid he would have
le forget my own t«iar lather and aiotLer."
"Oh, Ellen," cried Amanda, " how conld you ierre me ai)."

w," said Ellen, redoubling her tears, " I am certainly one

t the most miaibrtiinal« prla in the world; hot- lort, now, Miss

k, why should you be ao Borrowfnl ; for oertan, tuy lort lore*

a too well alwayi) M be angry; there i» poor Chip now, though he

aght I loved Parson Howell, he never forgot me,"

I £Ilea's efforts at coneoiation were not BDccessl'ul, and Aniauda din- '

d tier, that nnnolioed and nnrestrained she might iuilulge the

a which flowed at the idea of a long, laatiag separation, perhaps,

a Lord llortiiiier; olTeuded, justly offended, as he suppotied, with

■r; the probability was, she would be baiiiidied hie thoughta, or

If remembered, at least without esteem or t<?nderiie-ss ; thus might

■ heart soon be qualified for making another choice. Slie walked

p the window, and saw the ship already under weigh ; she «nw the

) sails fiutteriiig in the breeze, and heard tlie shouts of (Jie

lers, " Oh Mortimer 1" cried she, is it thus we part ? is it thus

« expoetatioos yon raised in my heart ore disappointed t Yon go

ince, and deem Amanda anwortliy a farewell ; you gaze perhaps ai

on Castle Carberry without breathing one sigh fur it<

lKbitju]l«; ah, had you loved sincerely, never would Ihe impulse of

■entnioiit have conquered the emotion of tenderness ; no, Mortimer,

n dei^eived me, and perhaps yourse11\ in saying I was dear to yon:

) 1 boco so, never conld you have acted in Uiis manner." Her

8 followed the course of the vessel, tilt it appeared like a spct^k in

e borinm. " He is gone," said she, weeping afresh, and wlthdraw-

g herself (ram the window ; " he is gone, and if I ever meet him

ii will probably be ae the hnsbaod uf Lady Euphrisia "

CHAPTER SXII.

Lord Mdbtimeb bmj, !□ reality, departed with seDlimentB i
nnfaTourable to AtaaQJa; he liad waited iinpetieotly at Bt. O&l
fine's, in fund eipcntation of having bH hi9 donbta removed b
candid eiplonation of tlje motivee which caused her predpitatejoi
ney &oni Wales; his buuI siglied for reconciliation; bis U
waa redoubled by being so long reatraine<] ; the idea of folding h
beloved Amanda to his boBom, and bearing that she deserved ail tl
lenderness and sensibility which glowed in that bosom for her, |

CItiLDIlEN or T

hood. Th« iinexpect«d sight of Amanda, as sba Btood on & iitUe
*lefiited bank, to uToid the carriage caused a sudden eruoCiun of
surpriM and delight in bis bosom; the abnost powers of uIlh^uuiim
coold not hare pleaded her caaae bo successfully as her owo iijipetir'
ance at that minate did ; the languor of ber face ; its uiilJ and
seraphic expression; her |>0!iBive attitude, and the tiuiid inodtsty
w^ith whioh abe K^mo'd sliriuking from obaerrstion, all tooc^hc-d the
■eiiHibility of Lord Mortimer, awakened his aotlcst feeliuga, revived
hia hopes and made him resolve to seek anotlier opportunity ol
demaniliBg an explanation from her. The sadden ooloor which
flashed in his cheeks, and the sparkling of his eyes, as he looked from
the carriage, attracted the notice of bis companions: Ihcy smiled
maliciotialy at each other, and Lady Eaphrasia declared she supposed
the girl was stationed there to try and attract admiration, which,
perh«pE, her silly old father had told her she merited ; or else to meet
with adventures. Lord Uortimer drew iik his bead, and tlie contrast
between her ladyship and lie feir Ijeing he bad been looking at,
never sCmck him so forcibly aa at that moment, and lussent*) oiii; as
much aa it elevated the other in his estimation.

lie wandered near the castle the next evening', in hopes of me«tiug
Amundo; bis disappointment was diminished by seeing Ellen, who
he was confident would be fnithfol to the message intrusted to her;
with this Qonfidonoe he baetened to the rocks, every moment expect'
ing the appearance of Amanda. Her image, as it appeared to liim
tbe preceding day, dwelt apon bis ima^nation, and he forcibly felt
how eHSoDtial to bis peace was a reooncilation with her. An hour
elapsed, and his tenderness ag^n b«gan to ^ve way to reeeutment: it
wfts not Ellen, but Amanda he doubted. He traversed the beach in
an agony of impatience and ansietyi a feverijsh heat [lervadud his
frame, and be trembled with agitation. At length he hedid Iha
distant BODBd of the sapper hell at Ulster Lodge, which uovor rang
till a tatcboar. AH hopes of seeing Amanda were now given up, tiiid
every intention of meeting her at a future period relinquished. B!ie
avoided him deugnedlv, it was evident I he could have curst himsell'
tor betraying trndi anxiety about her, and his wounded pride revolted
friHO tbe idea of seeking another interview. " No, Amanda," hn
exclaimed as he paaaed tlie castle, "you con no longer have any t'luiin
cpon mc ; niysteri'nis sppcarancos In ihi; nwdt c4Uidiil iwlw\ *""

S02

ca r

B BET.

■ospicions : in giving vou on oppoiiunit; for iu;coiint:Lg fiir ■
appearances, I lilU all tliat caudow, temierBeaa, scnsiliilitj,
honour could dictate ; and initead uf again nioLin^ efforts Ui oonven*
iritb j'OD, 1 mast non make others, which I trust will b« uur*
Buccoeeful, entirely to forget you,"

The next moming lie accompanied the tnarqnis in his barge to the
CrigntE, where lie wbb agre>e&blj snrpriaed to filid in ^hr fommandar
an old friend of his. Captain Somerviilo returned to IJlstGr Lodgw
with his Tisitora, and there, in n half jesting, half serions nuutn«}
B&ked Lord Mortimer to accompany him in his inteoded cmiM. ^HiIk
Ilia lordtihip instantly promised he would, with pleasure : he w
pletely tired of the Rosiine faoiily, and he waa besides glad of an oppocw
tnnity of convincing Amanda, he was not quite so fascinated to h
ae she perhaps believed, by his quitting the nelglibonrbood e
departure. As be descended to the boat, the sight of Aotanda diodbf
his resolation ; she seemed des^nod to croas liis pnth, merely to g(
him disqotetnde; an ardent wish sprung in his btart to nddr«SB herg
but it was instantly enpprcased, by rofiectii^ how prcmeditat«]j al
jToided hini : pride therefore tromptcd him to rasa bcr la

Atr/ obserred bim ^oar, aiid frequeolly saw liim contoinpkto Cacitlfl
Carberry, u if iL cpatainod a being infinitely deur to him; to
Amanda, tliareTore, the; faired he waa attaobcd, and supposed tho
ihment comtneocod at Kiloorban'a ball where they Iiad noticed
BiuDed glances at this Imtud, though because too lovel;,
The roost unbounded roge toult possession of tboir sonla ;
Cbe; regretted having ever come to Ireland, where they (Opposed
i.ord Mortimer bad first seea Amanda, as Lord Chorburj had men-
tiuued the children of fltzolan being strongen to him and his fomilj.
Tliey know the passions of I/)rd Clierbnry were impetuons, and
that ambition was the leading principle of his soul: anxions for an
aJIiance between his &niily and dieira, they knew he would ill brook
any obst&cle which shonld be thrown in the way of its completioa,
and therefore resolved if Lord Mortimer at their next meeting
np|>eared arene to tlio wishes of bis father, to acquaint the earl witii
the occasion of his son's disiuolinatitm, and represent Ht^an and
his donghter as aiding and abetting each other, in an insidious scheme
to entangle the afTecUons of Lord Mortimer, and draw iiim into a
roarriaga : a scheme which, to a man of the world (as they knew
Lord Chcrbnry to be,) would appear so very probable as to gala
implicit credit. This they knew would convert the esteem he felt for
Fitzolan into hatred and contempt: his favour would consequently
be withdrawn, dnd the father and child agoia sink into indigent
obsomity. To think that Amanda, by dire necessity, should tra
reduced to servitude; to think the elegance of her form should be
disguised by the garb oF poverty, and the charms of her face laded by
laisory, were ideau bo grateful, no eostatic to their hearts, that to have
them realiiod, they fait they conld with pleasure relinqnlsh the fttten-
tioOB of Lord Mortimer to have a pretext for injuring Fitrolan with
his father; though not quite aasnred their suspicions were well
founded, they wonid never have hesitated communicating them as
snah to Lord Cherbury ; but for ttieir own antisfactiou they wished to
know what reasons they had to entertdn them. Lady Greystock was
tlie only person they observed on a footing of intimacy with Amanda,
and through her means flattered themselves they might make tlie
desired discovery. They therefore began to unbend from theif
l^oughlines!), and make overtures for an intimacy with her: over-
ive<l Willi delight, and U' their i-rMPnt allonlion forgo/

SM gsiLSftx* or >be as»«v..

tiieir pMt neglect, Thioli iMd given hat neh AgHL Af t^
beoMDfl iDtunate with hu, thej wen nraoli iWMid bf k Awami
manner she poeseeaed of telling atoriee, aod pUcnng tba.foiUM nC
imperfeotioDB of their visiton in the moit oo&iplmioiu and ladian||k
light, partioaUrlriuch Tieitozeu were not •greoftblo to lfa«& WUh
the foiblce of homan nature ahe waa well aeqoMBted, wimt with Ms
vt of tuning those foibles to her own adTBDtage. Bhcpcnehad^
^regiona Tuiit7 of the marohionesa and I«df Xaj^amU, wiLbl
adminiateriiiig large portions of what Sterna styki dia dalWpif
essenoe of the aonl, soon became an immenaB bTooritn. Aflv «^
ij^unotion of aeoreoj, the marchiooees oommimleated her flaan ip)%r
tive to Lord Hortimer and Amanda, whioh aha pwtendcd rvpid fm
one, and pity for the other, had ezoited ; aa an attaduiMnt (fthw qf
an houonrabte or diahononrable natnre^ she knew I^trd O
never pardon. To know, therefore, how far mattan had p
between them, would be Bome saliii&otion, and ml^t pertup^ b» Ay
means of preventing the iU oonaeqaenoea ahe dreaded. I^ij On^
stock was not to be imposed onj she peroelved U waa not pilfer
Amanda, hat envj and jealousy which had excited the llDBrB of &m

ILDBEV or THI

30i

IMicac; HMkd th« lips of Aiiuuidn, and gn&rded her secret. Bhe
Delii'V€il her paiisioD U> be liop«leag, and fdt Uiftt to be odered conso-

in ou Hucb a subject, nould, to W fe«liaga, be tnilj Lamiliatiog.
But ibuugh she could corainaad her words, sbe could nut hor feelings,
aod tticjr were visibly expressed in her cuantiin&Dce; she bliulied
vbeoever Lord Uortimer waa mentioned; looked abockod if an
nition between hiiu and I^j Euphrasia was hinted at; and smiled
If a probabOitf was suggested of its never Uking place. — Lady Gre;<
Mode at last relinquished her atteinpta at betrayli^ Amanda iui^ a
ooufession of her saitJiiientB : indeed, she thought such a.cunfc^on
Hot very requisite, as her countenanae pretty cleady developed what
they vere; and she deemed herself authorised to inform the mar-
chiuneM, that she wiks sure something had pused between Lord

timer and Amanda, though what she could not discover, from
the drcumspection of tl.o latter. The marchioness was enraged, and
more determined than ever on inTolricg Amanda in detttmctioD, if
Lord Uortimer heaiinied a uiomeut in obeying the wishes of bia
lather, by uniting himself to Lady Euphrasia.

CHAPTER XXIII.

But 'Ub Jdui beltvr pKTl, jnui

I

A uo.iTn afl«r the departare of Lord Uortimer, the Roslinc family
left Ulster Lodge. Amanda sighed as she saw them pass, at the idea
of the approaching meeting, which might, perhaps, toon be followed
by an event that would render her fond remernbranne of Lord Uorti-
mer improper. Many of the faraOies about tlie castle were already
gone to town for the winter. Those who remained in the country
CU after Cluiatmas, among whom were the Kiloorbans, bad bc
entirely n^loctei] Amandii, from the time the niarchi'iness arrived ia
the ntiglibourhoi d, Ihnl tliey could nut think ofronuniiig thair vwiM

MC caiLBkia or thb abbxt.

•mfidtet «■ ther wer^ from tha proper digni^ flf bir Md
ouuuwr, that they woold be nnweloome.
. Ibe weather «•• now often too MT«ra to panalt HwBik
bar naiul nmblH ; and Um eolitnda of 0» OMtIa WM hrigkti
bar own meluioholj idaaa, aa well aa bj the dwarinw «f tba
Ho DMHw the magio hand of hope aketehad
neas, to dlMipate the iJoomineM of Om prcetot mea. Tha
of Aiuaoda'a heart were aa drcarf, aa deodat^ aa thoaa dw t
from the windows of the oaaUe. Her oanal BTOoattana no 1
yielded delight ; tferj Idea, erarj oocnpataon, waa MuMtterad, '
refleotion of being Iwiened Id the eetimation of Lord MortliiNC.
health declined with her peace, and again ntadan had tiie
seeing sorrow nipping hii lorelj bloMbm ; tha km
and her form aunmed a fi-agile delioaoj, whieh threat—od tha
t]on of hia earthly happineai. He waa not ignorant of Oa «i
her d<{JectiDn, bat he would not shook her feeUngs hj Un)
Ereij eSbrt which tendenMsa oonld snggestf be easajed to oha
hot withoot any dorable eflbot; for thou^ aha amiled iri
eipreued a wish to see her oheerfol, it wm a amOe tmuleDt

CIIILDBES OF raK .BBET. SOT.

fihSf Biiiilirasisi and in either of these characters, he was ccrtiaof
Truui thu roctitiide nutl [luntj' of her prinoiiiles, «he nonld be more
thftoever iiapresaed with the ueceasitir of conquering her attachment ^
voUdt the pais attenditig soch a oonversBtJon would be lessened, and
probably soon removed b; surrounding objects, and the gny so
!iba must engnge in, from being tlie company of Lndy Gre}-atook, wh»
otd a noinerous and elegant acquaintance in lA>ndoa.

Iler ladjiship appeared tii him, as she did to man; others, a plea
ing, rational woman; one to whose care his heart's best treasnr*
might eofelj be consign ed.'-He wa« induced to accept her proteotitm
for hia Amanda, not only on account of her present but future welfiira.
His own health was eitremely delicate ; he deemed his life very pr»-.
oarioas ; and flattered himself Lady Oreystock, by having his belored.
girl under her oare, would grow so attached to her, as to prove a-
ttiand if he should be snatched away, ere his newly obtained iodepeiH
dence enabled him to make a provision for her : in indulging this hope^
his heart could not reproach him for anything mean or selfish. Her
hdyship bad frequently assured liim all her relations were very distant'
ones, and in afSuent circumstances, so that if his Amanda recei
any proof of kindness from her, she could neither injure norencroaohi
on the rights of otiiers.

This, however, was not the ease, though careftilly concealed from
Um, as well as many others, by her ladyship. Her education had
either given birth to, or strengthened the artful propensities of har
disposition. She had been one of the numerous oSlipring of a gentle-
man in the southern part of Ireland, whoso wife, a complete hoi
wife, knowing his inability of giving his daughters fbrtunca, detei^
miDud to bring tliem up so as to save one for their future husbands.

At the age of nineteen. Miss Bridget, by her reputation for dome^
tic cleverness, attracted the notice of a man of easy independence
the neighbourhood, who, being a perfect Nimrod, wanted soroebody-
to manage those concerns at home, wliich he neglected fur the fieldi i
and kennel ; and in obt^ning Miss Bridget, he procured this valuabia
acquisition. Uis love of sport, with his life, was fatally terminated >
tlie second year of his marriage, by his attempting to leap a five-bar
gate. A good jointure devolved to his widow, and the olhoe of c
soling her to the rector of the parish, a little fnt ulderly man, i
■nigbl hnvo aat very well for the jiicture of Buiiifau* So succesafi-l

I SOB CUILUltEll OF THE ABDXT.

wera his argiiineuts, tbaC he Dot 011I3' expelled aarrow trMn )icr hwrt^
bnl iutrodnced LiuiBtilf iuto it, and had tlie felioitj of receiving bat
bud, as Boon as bar weeds were laid uide. Fuur ytarti they bwl
Uved ID tuiiDt«rrBpted peace ; bot loo free an d^oymeut of tlio good
Uiings of thia life DDdermiDed the cooBiitution of the rector : he wa*
ordered to Bat^, wbere bis mortal career was shortly tenuioated, an£
bia whole fortune was loft to hi* wiie.

In the house where she lodged was an ancient baronet, wlio Itftd
BeTer been married ; his fortune was con^ideruble, but Lis miumer m>
Blrange and wliimsics!, that Le appeared incapable of ei^ojing tht
advantages it woold have afforded to others. Notwithstanding his
oddities, he was compassionate; and aa the JUr relict woa nnaocom-
panied by a friend, he wwted on her for tlie purpose of offering oooa^
lation, and any service in bis power. TMb tDtentJan instantl; inspired
her with an idea of tricing to make him feel tenderer senliiiienta tb*n
tboae of pity for her. Bia title and fortune were ao attractive, that
neither hie capricious disposition, nor the disparity of their ages, h«
being sixty, and she only eight and twenty, could prevent her ardently
desiring a connexion between them. Her elforta to effect this wera
long unsaccesafol : bat perseveranoe will almost woik wiraclea: bc9'
constant good hnmonr, and unremitted solicitode about Ixim, who
was in general an invalid, at last made an iiapreesioo on hia flin^
heart, and, in a sudden fit of gratitude, he offered her his hand, which
wu eagerly accepted.

The presumptive heir to the baronet's large possessiona wiw th*
son and only child of a deceased sister. At the period this ouiaK-
peoted alliance took place, be was about twenty, pleasing in hia
person, and engaging in bia manner, and tenderly beloved by bia
uncle. This love. Lady Groystnck saw, if it eonlinoed, would tVos*
trate her wish of posaeasiug the baronet's whole property. Variotui
BohemeB Sactnate<l in her mind, relative to the manner in which aba
could lay the foundation for Eoshbrook's ruin; ere slie could detail
mine on <jnc, cliance discovered a secret, which oonipletely aided het
intention.

lu the noighbonrhood of tie baronet's country residence, Hnsb-
brook hod formed an attachment for the daaghter of a man, against
wimni hie niicle pplertsined tl)e most invoterafo enmity. An union
ivilU ibis girl, s'le bub well convinced, would ruiu hitn. f^be thor»

ton guti him t>> DQilcralanil she ktiew of lii:^ attochiDeot. aatl
•iccorolr pilied his Hituatioa ; encouragwl Lis lave by Uie mosl flatter
lug enlugiums on bis adored Emily; declared ber regret that hearts
BO oongenial eliould he eeparat«d; and at la?t intimated, that if thej
wisbed to Qoite, she was coaviu^d she woald soon be abk to obtniD
Sir Goofirj'e for^veness for snch a atep. Her artTiil insiunntjona
linrried the nnsQspicious pair into the stiore she had aproad fur thera ;
the conHquence of this was what elie expected.

Sir Geoffrj'B rage was unappcaBftble, and he Holemnly vowed neTer
mure to behold his nephew. Lady Grejatocfc wishe<l to praferve, if
possible, appearances to the world, and prevailed on him to pv« her
five bandred poands for Rusfabrook, to which she added five of her
own, and presented the notes to him, with an assurance of pleading
tiis cause whenever she found a favonrablo opporCnnity of doing ao.

Ue ptu-chaaed an ensigncy in a regiment on the point of embarking
tor America, where be felt he would rather encounter distress, than
ftmoDg those who had known him in afflaence,
. Ber ladyship now redoubled her attention to Sir Geoifiy, and at
last prepossessed him bo strongly with the Iden of her affections for
him, that he made a will bequeathing her his whole iortune, which
■he flattered herself with soon enjoying. But tlo conatitution of Sir
Geoffiy waa stronger than she imagined, and policy obliged her to
idhere to a conduct which had gained his favour, as she knew the
least alteration in it would, to hie capricious temper, be sufficient to
tnake him crash all ber hopes.

Fifteen years passed in tijis manner, when a friend of Rnsbbmok'i
■dviacd Lim no longer to be deluded by the proniises l^dy Greystock
«tjll oontinned to make of interceding in his favonr, bnt to write him-
to his uncle for forgircnees, wiiioh the dnty he owed hi^ family,
snd Che distress of his situation should prompt bim to immediately.
Snshbrook accordingly wrote a most pathetic letter, and hh friend,
IB he hod promised, delivered it hims-^lf to the baronet. The ood-
tents of the letter and tlie remonstmnce of hia visitor prodaced a
great change in the sentimeiiU of the barvnet. Tenderness for a
nephew lie had adopted as his heir from liis infatwy. hegim to revive,
anil he aerionaly reflected that by leaving his fortune to Laily Grey
Block he sliould eorich a family unoonnecled with him, whilst ilio Ian.
tratch of bis own was left to obscurity and wretchedness. IMdi

£10

recoileal from sDcb an idea, and lie told the gentleicaii he n
sHer about a reconciiitttion witli his nephew.

TIte ooDTera&tion betwe«u them, which Laily Grcfstock ti»d coo-
tfired to overhe&r, filled hw with diaiDHj: bnt this was iDL'rea»ed
aimoM to dtstraelion, wbeo an altorne; b«ng sent for, ahe repaired
agaia to her hidiag-pUce, uid beard a new will dJiAated entiralj in
Rnahbrook'e feroar.

Sir Geoifry was soon prevailed on to see his nephew, but Hra.
Kuslibrook and the ehiUrea were not Buffered to appear before him:
they were, hciwever, supplied with ever; rvqninle for making a gen-
ImJ appearance, and acoomptuiTiug the regiment (again order«d
abroad) with oomfort.

Soon after their deyiertnre. Sir Seoffrr neok into a i-tate of inaeoei-
bility, tl-oin which no hopes of bia ever recorering could be CDlertained.
The litDatiun wai propiUone to the deagns of I«dj Greyftook : noue
but creaturoa of her own were admitlod to his chamber. — An altoi^-
(ii^j was Bent for, who had often traiisaoted bnsinefc* for her, rdntir«
to licr ufiaira tn Ireland ; and a good bribe easil; prevailed on him to
draw np a will she dictated, similar to that before made i

remiodsd bar of their aSoit;, and rifd with eaoh otfier in pacing Lai
olteiilion. This wna eitremelj pleaaiug Ui her ladjahip, who wai
fond of pleamire at oilier pecple'a eipense. For lieraelf, aiie hod laid
down rulcB of the most rigid eaonom]', wliiah she strictly adiiered U>.
Ftom Ibe many inTltatioiiB alie received, she wa» seldom a resident
in her own honse: she Judged of othcra by heraelf, and aacribed iJi«
Atteatjons slie received to their real eouroe, eelf iulereet, which ehe
^ianghed teoretly lo think she should dlsappMDt.

■ ' She was remarkable (aa IBas Kilcorbau informed Amanda) for jak-
EJng young people to do little matters for her, HQch as mukjug her
KBrtJ'iiierv. working rufHes, aprons and handkerciiiota.
^F" The trnnquiUily she enjoyed for two years after 8ir Geoffry'a dtatli,
^Vas a little interrupted by his nephew's arriving from America, dod
conmiendng a Buit directly against ber, hy the advice of his fliend*
and some eminent lawyers, ou the Buppositi(>n that tlie will, by which
Flie inheril«d, had been made when his nacle was in a state of imbe-
cility.

Ijidy Greystock, lioweTer, received but a trifling shock from tLis;
she knew he hod no money to carry on soch on affair, and that his
advocates would lose their zeal in his cause when convinced of the
i;lat« of his finances. On being obliged to go to London to attend the ,
euit, it immediately occurred that Amanda would be a most pleasing
(wmpanion to take along with her, as she would not only enliven ttie
lioors she must sometimes pass at home, but do b number of little
things in the way of dress, which would save a great deal of eKpenae.
Amanda, on the Srst proposal of accompanying her, wannly
opposed it: she felt unutterable reluctance to leave her father, and
assured liiin she wonld, by exerting lierself, prove tliat a change of
wiene was not re^iniiute for restoring her clieerfulnesa. Fitzalan
know her sincerity in making this promise, but he also knew bar
inability of pe "forming it; hia happiness he declared depended on
hir eomplj-ing with his request: he even said his own health would
probably be eatablislied by it, and daring ber absence he would partake
of the amu-wroents of the country which lie had hitherto decline^ on
hiT account. This assertion prevwied on her to consent, and immedi-
ate preparations were made for her journey, as the invitation had no!
been given till within a few days of her ladyship's intended depar-
Ae Bhe wont to Holyhead, Fitzalan delonnined on .lendiup)

Ellen to bcr pnronta, till Amanda retumod from England, whick |
dutenainntioD pleased Ellen oiceedingly, as eba longed tii see her
familj, and tell them particulars oi Chip. Aa the hour approached
fur quitting her father, the regret iLiid ivljctsnce of Aiiionda
increased: nor were hii feelings less oppressive, lliongh better con-
coolod ; but when the moment of parting came, the; could no longer
be supprest; he hold her with o tremulous grasp to bis heart, as it
.lie n-oidd forsake it. On ber departure, the gloom on his mind
iieemed like a presentiment of evil ; he repented forcing her from
liim, and scarcely conld he refrAin from sajing they must not pArt.

Lady Greyatock, who in every scene, and every situation, preneired
her composure, hinted to bim the injury ho was doing his daoghter
hj siicli emotions, and mentioned how short their separation would
be, sod what benefits would accrue to Amanda from it.

Tbia last consideration recalled to bis mind inslantty composed bim,
and he handed them to her ladysbiji's chariot, which was followed
by a hired chaise, containing her woman and Ellen; he then sighing
ber a lost adien, returned to his solitary habitation to [iray, and ia
«pite of all his efforts, weep for bis darling diild.

Tbr dq'ection of Amaoda gradiially declined, aa Uie idea of teeing

Iivrd Uortimer again revived. It revived not, however, niUioat

hcpea, fears, and agiUUons. SometinieB she imagined ebe sLonld

find him devoted to Lad; Euphrasia : then again believed bia hononr

— Wd sincerity would not allow hitn to give Iicr np »o unddenlj, and

BsAt Ilia apparent indifference proceeded from reaentnieiit, which

' nld vanish if an opportnnity once offered (and ahe trusted there

Dnld) for explaining her iMndiict. She endenvoared to calm the

lotions these ideas gnve rise to, bj reflecting that a short time now

fonld most probably terminate her suspense,

^ Jhej stopped for the niglit, abont five o'clock, at an inn about a

e from Tndor Hall. After dinner Amanda informed Lady Grey-

mIc, she wished to accompany Ellen to her pareutf. To this her

^yship made no objection, on finding she did not want the carriage.

8he charged her, however, not to forget the hoor of tea, by which

lime ahe would bo refreshed by a nap, and ready to engage ber at a

game of piquet,

Tliey set oat unattended, os El]en refused the hostler's offer of

rtylng her portmantean, saying, "she wonld eend fur it the next

This she did by Amai'da's desire, who wished, unobserved,

I pnrsne a walk, in which she promised herself a melunclioly

>dnlgenoe, from reviewing the well-known scenes endeared by

foder nvolleotions.

A mncmful yet not nndetiglitAit sensation attends the contempla-
tion of sccnca where we once enjoyed feliraty : departed joys ore ever
ranembered with an entbuHiiutm of teodemees, which sooilies the
fioiTowa we experience for their loss.

. Such were the present feelings of Amftada; while Ellen, undis-
»rl*d by Kfinti for the pnst, ponted out, with pleasnre, the dwell

S14 ouiLDnis or the aubit.

Inga of lier intimates and friends. Yet when she came to Chip'i
deserted eotlage, she stopped, and a tear ttole from her eye, oeconipk-
DJed Ht the same time by a smile, wliieh seemed to eaj, thon^ thou
art now lonely and cheerlem, the period is approoohing when comfon
and gpaiety shall resume their stations witliin thee, when the blaze ol
thj fire and thy taper shall not only diffnse oheerfnlnesa within, bol
without, and give a ray to the desolate or benighted traveller, 14
guide him to thy hospitable shelter.

Amanda, leaning on Ellen's arm, proceeded alowly in her waJ: ;
the evening was delightful ; the bine vault of heaven was spanned
with stars, and the air nithont being severely cold, was dear and
refreshing. The road, on one aide, wtu skirted with the high woodi
of Tudor Hall. Amanda gated on them with emotion: bnt wheft
she came to the gale which Lord Hortmjer liad opened for hvt
departure at the first interview, the soitnesa of her heart (ould no
longer be repieted; she stj:ipped, leaned pensively upon it and wept.
The evergreens with which the woods abounded, prevented th^
■wearing a desolate appearance: she wished to have pierced into theli

316

earth for Uie eUiere&I roOduera ot the BpriDg, jon «eek aad enjoj a
calm repose."

Id the Iwie which I«d U> her DQree'i cotUge, Amsiida paused for a
moiDent ; dona this lane Lord Mortinier had once pursued her; sh^
looked toffuds the mannon of Tndor Hall; she endeavoured to diit-
cero the library, but all was dark and dismal, except the wing whit^h
Ellen informed her was occupied by the doraostics. — Throagh the
wjnduw of Edwin'a cottage, tliey saw all the faroilj seated roond
n blazing fire, chatting and langhtag. The transports of Ellen's heart
ovcrcan;e every ide« of caniion ; ehe liastily nnlatched the door, aod
flang herself into lier parenta' anus ; their sarprise and joy was
nnbounded, and Amanda was received and welcomed with ea mnoh
tenderness as their child, without ever a»king the reason of their
sudden appearanoe. The first question was, " Wonld she not stay
with them!" and her answer filled them with regret and disappoint-
ment. Perceiving them abonl procnring her refresliments, "aha
dodared she had not a minnte to stay : the time allotted for her walk
was Jready exceeded, and alio feared Lady Greyatook would be
ofieaded at being left *o long at an inn by lierself ;" she therefore
luistily presented some Utile presents she had bronght for the family,
and w»« bidding them farewell, when poor Ellen, who, from so long
reaidina with the yonng lady, almost adored her, saddenly flnng her-
self inlu hut arms, and clinging ronnd her neck, as if to prevent a
ae[iBration, whi<ih, till the moment of ita arrival, she thought she
cocld haio supported, eiciaimed, " Oh, my tear young laty, we nru
going to part, and my heart muks within me at the idea; even Chip
himself. If he was here, coidd not console me. I know yon are not
hnppy and that increases my sorrow ; yonr sweet cheek is palei, and I
have olten acen yon cry, when yon thon^ht no poty was minding
you ; if yon, who ore so goot, are not happy, how can a peing like mj
hope to pe so. Oh may I soon pe pleat with seeing you retam the
mistress of Tudor Doll, married to the aweeteat handsomeet nobliv
moa- who I know in my eoul loves yoti, as well inteed be may, fcr
where whould he see the fellow of my yonng laty. Then Chip and I
will beao happy, for I am sure yon and my lort will shelter onrhnm-
b'-e eoURge." •

JLmoiKla pMst the affectionate girl to her breaot, and mingled tears
1 lurs. whila she softly whisper«d to her not to hint at aucb

Sl«

OBILPRIX or TBI A»BBr.

ui vreot; " but, ba aatttred, taj dorat Bkn," coNHMlBftife^ ^Mlt
lahaUever r^oioe at j-otirfefioit;r, wU^to ttMntanoitaf BV^M^i
er I wonld promoM, huI haps looa to hmt cf yvn mtiamlUt^
Chip." -bM-^

'*AlaokftU7,"saidtli«niirM, "arsjoiigi^isamrwIiMlttal^A
fou ooDM to atay mmong iu ; and tlMn, pariiifa, mj krt mnlB MMP

iiiiiiii. mil n iiiiiiii I Ill 111 I mm h iimnij iiiiiiiiiin I Bt^yf

ferily tlion^t be would htra gona dittnetod when b* fiMid y«M( Hi*
•m may tay, mn a.m,j ; and to pe nira I did idly him, md iMM^
hara nude uo (ample to tall him when fos mrt, bad I IhMk
it mywU; wbiob he nupeoted, tat be oflbnd me a ri^ OTBNMflMi
would ducoTer. Then time ia FanoB Howall, wby, ba tm-^/tHV
Ilka unto nothing put a i^koat dnoa joa mat nnj;iad ka-Mn
ao (i^) — and be oomes almoit aTei; t*f to aak ma ivoot J9tf tl0l'
whether I think or know lort Mordmar ia with yov; he vffl-flP
In each grief to think joo were here without hia aadiig jroa." ;><n^
"Well," said Amanda, endearoiuing to qipear cfaea(fld,*'wB^^^>
all yet hare a bappy meeting." *u.'t^. '

f;f»Ta baa on«u been die ec«iie of peiuive meditation ; norha^it iranted
lU romoi ofTeriiigi the loveUest dowers of nj- garden I have wore
into wreadiB, and bong tbeio o'er it, in fond remembrance of ]>er angel
dangliter."

Tlis plaintive sonnd of Howell's voice, the dq'eclion of hia ooante-
[unee, excited tbe Boftetit fKelings of B«nBibilitj in Amundu't Uiaom;
bnt she grew confused by the lenderneas of his expression, and snying
olie waa h&ppj to see liiiu. tried to dieengnge bar band, Uiat slio might

"Surety,'' taid lie, still detuning it, " a few iDoments yon might grant
me witbuiit reluotanoe; you who are going to enjoy every bappinesa
■ntl pleasure, going to meet Ibe favoured — "

Amanda atillcipated the name be was abont nitering, and lier con-
Auriun redoubUd. She attempted again, yet in vtun, to withdraw ber
band, and turned to see wlietbor any one was observing tliein; bow
great waa ber mortification on |)ercdving Lady Greyjtoi'k Ivaniug
from a window exactly over tbeir bends. &be smiled significantly at
Amanda, on being seen, and tbe carriage being ready, snid she wonld
attend her below stairs." Howell now relinqnisbed Amanda's band ;
lie uw she looked displeased, and expressed snch sorrow, acoompatiied
widi such Mbmissivc apologies for ollending her, that abe could not
avoid a<x»rding bim bur pardon. Ue handed both her and l^dy
Greystock into tbe carriuge, and looked j melaneboly adieu as it
4lro*eoff.

"Upon my word, a prelly stosrt young fellow," said Indy Grey-
■toek; "Uiough itupatieut Ibis long lime to set ont, I coubl not think
ut intarrapting tbe Interesting t£te-i-t£te I saw between yon and him.
I ntqwse yon have been a rewdent in Ibis part of tbe country before,
ftma your seeming to know tbis tender swain so well."

Amaads wished to avoid acknowledging tbis ; if known, she feared
it wonld lead to a discoTcry, or, at least, excite a suspicion of lier
Intimaej with Lord Mortimer, which she was desirous of concealing,
while in this nneertainty concerning lilm,

"Tour ladyship boi heard, I believe," replied she, "that EllcnV
notber nnrsed me."

" Yes, my dear," answered her ladyship, with some smartness; "bnt
If yonr acquaintance even commenced with this youth in Infancy, I
Cwcy il bw bepn renewed since tbnt ppriod."'
10

I

-ilP caiLuiiRN or JHB *DBKy-

Amruida bliuUed ileepl}', luul tu biilu hvi' coQftision;}italaiid«i'l«a
be looking at, tlie girof pect from t\\e window. Loii; tiruyslock's eyetf ■
puniijed hem. Tudor Hall tvas conspicaous fruin the roftd, Dud A
invulimCarily sighed as she viewed it,

" TliQt is a line donuiin," said I^sd; Grejstocic, " I [ii'«suino ^n
hare tislted ir, and know its owner."

Ainajida r»iild not assert a falsehood ; neither eonhl sb« evade tb» ,
inquiries of Ltidj Greystock, and tliercfore, not only confessed Ib^ J
heiog tlie ratate of Lord MurlJincr, hot her own rosiilunc
preceding Hummer. Her lodyEhip immediately eotyocturod it wait I
ilien the (Lttmihment between ber and Lord MorUmer commenoed^ 1
and Ilie bhisiies, (lie hesitations, and tlie unwiUingneas of Atuulda tih I
owning her visit to Wult-s, all u»nfiriuod this caiyettnre. tjlie trie*!, '
however, to iiislnuato lierwlf into her full oonlidence, hy w
expressions of e)ilf>«[n, and by hinting that from the diBpoaiiion at
JjinX llnniiiicr, she cnnlil not believe he evur did, or ever woolt)
tliiiik Kriously of l^<ly Eii[i]>rasia; tiii>i she hojieil would eitJter
iiiJiice or betrny Anmiidit to oi>eQ her whole henrt, but blie wan

'tfoulfl not miUt; entreatio?,'' bIio added, with a ugQitloant liiok, "she
believed Le liad good reason for cuKking." She tlien relaied all she
atis|iected, or rather had disi^uvercd, relative to tlie altachuent
between Lord Mortimer and Amanda, having commenced the pre-
'Ceding Bnnimer in Wal«ti.

The marchioness sod I^dy EophrssiK instantly concladed f=he was
■KDt to London for the purpose of baring it oonipktod by a tnarriage.
■Thii, however, Ihey detennined to prevent. The marchioness felt
•ttie moat inveterate hatred agunst her, and also that to prevent her
■being Bdvantageously settled, even if that settlement threatened not
'to interfere with the one the Lad projected for her daoghter, she
flould undertake almost any project. Though ehe abhorred the idea
'«f noticing her, yet she wita tempted now to do so, from the idea
Ibat it wonld better enable her t^i watch her actions. This idea she
oommnnicated in a liaaty whisper to Laily Euphrasia, who approving
«f it, the told I^d; Greystoek, "as MiHs Filzulan was her guest, she
^ronld, on that bcconnt, permit her to be introduced to them."
^Amanda wa* accordingly sent for. On entering the room, Lady
Oreyslock took her hand, and presentfd her to the marchioness and
'ijuly Enphrosia. The former, half rising, with a coldness she could
►tot conquer, said, " Whenever Lady Greystock honoured her with a

it, she should l>e happy to see Hiss Fitzalan along with her." The
Ittt«r only noticed her by a slight bow; and when Amanda drew a
'<ahiur near the solk on which she sat, or rather inclined, she continuwl
•taring in her face, and alternately humming an Italian air, and
'«r««sing a little dog she had brought with her. Tlio uneinba.Tassed
of Amiindn'9 air and manner surprised and niortilied them ;
'ta they expect^ to have seen har covered with conJiision at an
'Introduction bo uneipected. To tJieir haughty souls nothing was
-VoTe delightful than the awe and deferonoe which vulgar and illilieral
:'Bind9 are so apt to pay to rank and fortune. They were provoked
'to see in Anumda conscious dignity, instead of trembling diffidence.
'A» slio sat by Lndy Euplirasin, the tiiarcliiouesa could not hel|>
•ecrctly confessing she was a dangerous rival to her dnoghter; for
'fiever did her lovely features and ingenuous countenance appear to
'iwch advantage, as when contraHted to Laily Enphrsflia's. Tlie mar-

lonees withdrew soon afler her entrance, nnablo longer to restndn

it mallgnBT^t pa^ions whii-h envy and hatred had exrileiL

m"J CUM. t.Ki;\ or Till AUUIV.

IloUi she and ludj- Enphrcisiii were oanTinced tbnt to comniimieat*
their 9ns|>icio[is at proscDt ta Lord Chcrbnry, abuul tinr uid bis mil,
would not answer the eod proposed ; for it could be of little caDW-
qneuce, they reflected, to withdraw the esteem of the fsllier, if that
of the son cootiDued : who, iDdepcndcnt in hU notions, sod oertAJa
of the fortunes of liie anccBtorH, might not hesitate to gratify himseUL
The point tlierefore was, by soiue ilwp luid scbeitie, to ruin Atuaudn
in the CBtimation of Lord Mortimer; and if in the power of mortola
to contrive and eiccute such a scheme, they gave tbemselvea credit
fi^r being able to effect it.

The blow at her fond hopes they resolved should be followed by
one against Llio peace of Fitzalan, on ivhom they knew, wlienever
they pleased, they <iolild draw the rceentment of Lord Cherbury;
thus should they completely triumph over the lovely Amanda;
plunge two beings they detested into poverty and wreicliedneM;
destroy expectations which interfered with tlieir own, and seoore an
alliance with a man they hod long wished to unite to tljcir family.

From tlie unaltered indifference of Lord Mortimer to Lady
Euphrasia, they were convinced of his predilection for anoiLcr.

i

m

To BTa\d a disB^To^al.Ie flrfpiment witli o son he not onl; loved bat
wpwipd, lie Boiijrht rnllitr, by initiruct moans, In irn-nlse liiin in nn
eii'.nDgleniciit wiUi the Rosline rMtiily, Uioji conic tu aii open ox|>1nti-
in with him. For tliis purpow, he oootrivc<i pitrticii ns oik-ii as
IWssible with them into public; when, by Lord Mortimer's being
■e^D with LaAy EujibroBio, reports miglit be r^seii tif an lotvudud
flUilDM between tliem ; reports which iie, hiusel^ propugtiU)d (imi>ng
nroe partioular frivnda, with a de»ire of haviDg tbera cirmibitt.'d :
but ho injanotion of se>;rec; oa to their author; these reports wonlo,
be trusted, on rcAcbing Lord Mortimer, lead to a discuBsion of tlic
affair; and tben be meant to m^ as Lord Mortimer had parti; con-
tributed to raise them himself, b; bis attendance on Lady Enphraaia,
be oonld not possibly, with honor, recede froin realiziog them : yet
- often did his lordship fear bis scheme would prove abortive ; for well
b« knew the cool judgment and keen peuetrntion of his Eon : this
fear always inspired liim with horror, for he had a motive for desiring
the union which he duret not avow.

lord Mortimer quickly indeed discerned what his father's views
vere, in promoting his otten<lAnco on Lady Enphrosia; he tlierefura
ftToided her society wlienover it waa possible to do so, withoat
Mtsolnte mdcnesB ; and contradicted tiie reports be almost coDtinnally
bcani, of an intended alliance between Ihem, in the most soleran
ICaniii^; lie bad always disblied her, but latterly that dislike was
Bonvcrted into hatred, from the malevolence of her conduct towards
AmBodii ; and lie felt, tliat even were liia heart free, he never could
[iCe his to her or give bis hand where It most he unaccompanied
^th est«cm; be wished to avoid a didngreeable conversation with
Lord Clierbiiry, and flattered himself, bis unalterable indifference U>
Imf lailyship would at, length convince Ids lord.ahip of tlie iinpos-
ribility of accomplishing bia projected scheme, and tliat consequently
It wonld be dropped ere openly avowed, and he saved the painful
•eoeMitj of absolntely n^ecting: a proposal of his father-
■ Id the evening Lady Greystook and Amanda received cards foi
dinner the next day at the Mnrqnis of Boslinc's. Amanda made ni
etioii to this invitation ; her father had onen declared if the n;ar-
inets motle an overture for an intimacy with bia children, b*
M not reject it, as be always deemed family qnarrelrt highly pre-
judicial to botli parties, with regard to tlie oitiiiion of tin. world

timo OD I*dj Ei^litnia, and »he eacaaragti lib MMdi

(if cAbeliDg ■ change in LonlMoTtimer'aiiiauQdr; but bad U

nrcn been a paiiioiiate lover, poor'FrecloTe was not c

tMpira bin with Jealonsr. "I declare," cooIiiMud 1

Amanda tbnmgh an opera ^aas vlu(^ danced from his battixi htit^

" if Ler lather has notbing to nipport liim, bat Ibe hoi)C uf her >'in'''"g

a coDgaett of importatiGe, be will be in a sad wav, fur 'pon my aoal,

i can see nothing the giii has to reoommend her, except noveltjr, and

tbat, yiia knoir, is a charir' which will lessen eveij day : all she eaa

ponilily expect is an estabUabmeat for a few montiu with aomo

tasteless being, who may like the aimplicity of her country look — — "

"Aailroure than she merits," ei claimed Miss Uakobii ; "Ihara
no patience witli wiL creatures forcing tlieuueliee into society qiiit«
above them."

"I aSKureycu," said Lady Eaphra.sU, "yuu would be ostoniBbed at
her vanity and conceit, if yon knew ber : she considers herself a firsa
rate beauty, tbough poaitiiely any one may »ee she is qaite tbe re-
Tcnc, and prelends to the greatest gentleness and simplidiy ; tbea
■lie has made eooie Btraogo kind of people, to be sure they mont be.

I enndrd with companjr, liut Lord Mortimer appenred not among th«
brilliftnt Msemblj ; jet the pnng of diBappointment wm softened to
I Amanda by bU absence intimating tbat he was not anxions fur the
L aocietj of Ladj Euphmnia : — true, huflinesa, or a pri^r engngemont,
might have prevented his coining, but she, as is natural, fiicd oa the
' idea most Battering to herself.

Lady Euphrasia, in pursunnce of the plan laid ngiunst Amandn. led
[fae way to the matic-room, attended by a large party ; as Freelovo
bad intimated to eome of the boaui aod belles, her ladyship and he
were going to quii an ignorant Irish country girl. Lady Eupbmaift
■at down to the barpftichord, that ehc might have a Letter pretext for
Msking Amanda to play. — Frcelove seated himself hy the latter, and
began a converuition, whioh he thought would effectually embarrass
ber; but it had quite a contrary effect, rendering him so extremely
I ridiculous, as to excite a universal laugh at his expense. Amanda
fioa perceived his iDtentlon in addressing her, and also, that Lady
Enphrama and Miss Ualcolm were privy to it, having ciiu^lit Ibe mg-
Dificaot looks which passed among them. Though trembling alive to
tvcry feeling of modesty, she had too mnch sense, and real nobleness

of soul, to allow tlie illiberal Millies of impertii
KiTii]>aaure.
" Have you seen any of tlie
I exclaimed Freelove, lolling buck

e to divest ber of

of I ondon, my lear,"
chair, and contemplntiU(f the

lustre of his buckler, uucoDscious of the ridicule lie e:
I " 1 tliink 1 have," said Amanda, somewhat archly, and glancing at

Um, "quite an original in its kind." Her looks, as well as the

emphasis on her words, excited another tangb at his expense, which
, tiirew him into a momentary confusion.

"I think," said he, as he recovered from it, "the Monument and
I ijte Tower would be prodigious tine sights to you, and 1 make a par-

ticokr request tliat 1 may be included in jour party wbeuevur you

visit them; particuhirly the lust place."

" And why," replied Amanda, " should I take tlie trouble of visiting
' wild beosta, when every day I may we ■ninmTa equally strange:, and

not half so niisctuevoaa I"
I . Freelove, insensible as be was, could not mistake the meHnin;; of

Amanda's words, and he left her with a mortified nir, being, to an.

(■in own phrn^e, " I'oniplelely done np"

Liidj Eu[i)iriitiA,unvri>liigfrom tliebarptichnrd, requested AtBiituljt
to take ticT plnud at it ; KBjiog, with an irouiuul mir, '' ber pvrl'umtki
(nbioh indeed triui Hhuvkiog) would make bsra appear tu itiiuiMiig
aJvnntnge."

DiSid'^Dt of b«r own Abilitieii, Amanda begged lo be excasM] ; but
wltva Mius Mnlci'lm, with aa «artieatiiess eron upprcuiTC, jiiinad her
f ntre»U«8 to Lad; Euphnuia's, she could ao longer reluse.

" I bujspuse," eaid her liidjsbip, following bcr lo tlie inetmmeiir.
'' ibcso eungB," presenting ber Borne trifling ones, "will iui«w«t you
bi*tler tbim the Italian music before ;ou."

Ajuonda made do reply, but turned oier the leaves of a book lo n
te^sun niucb mure difficult than that Lady Euphraeia bad played.
Her touch at first wna tremulous and veaV, but sbe vaa loo Bueoepti-
hle of the powen of liannony, not soon to be in^iiired by It ; acil
k'raduslly her style became so masterly ai>d dcgant, a9 to cxdt« nni-
x'ereol admiration, except in the bosoms of tlic£« who had hoped to
place her in b ludicrona situation ; their indiridiud Khem°^ instead c^
ilepreasing, had only served to render excellence coospiptious, and
th.it mortifiuation they destined for another fell upon thewsel-efl.

22i

4r[ng twaj at one or tlio theatres, for no peraon of fiuhlmi tvoald reollj

Intraxt their children to ho confident a erentDre."

■ The fair object of their diafjnietude gladly accompanied Lddy Ara-

mintA into another room; several gentlemen followed, and crowded

• 'tbout her chair, offering that adulation whidi tliey were acoitstoaied

>* lt> find acceptable at the shrine of beauty; to Amanda, however, it

was irksome, not only from its absurd extravagance, bnt as it inter-

tttlited her conversation with lAity Araminta. The marchioness,

"however, who oritically watched her motions, soon relieved her from

the troublesome assiduities of the beam, by placing them at card

las; not, indeed, from any good-natured motive, bnt she oonld not

bear that Amanda should have so much attention pud her, and flattened

Lerself she would l>e vexed by losing it.

In the course of conversation Ijtdy Araminta mentioned Ireland.
"She hod a faint ivmembrance of Castle Carberry," she said, "and had
been half tempted to accompany the marqnis and his family in their
iBleexcDrsioc: her brother," sheadded, "had almost made her promise
' to visit the caatle with him the ensuing anmraer. — Yon have seen Lord
Ifortimer, to be snre," continued her ladyshijt.

"Yes, madam," &ltered Amanda, while her fkce was overspread
■with criinsoQ hue. Her ladyship wa» too penetrating not to perceive
' her confairioa, and it gave rise to a conjecture of something more than
ft alight acquaintance between his lordship and Amanda. The melan-
choly he had betrayed on his return from Ireland, liad excited the
niillery of her ladyship, till convinced, by the discomposure he showed
enever she attempted to inquire into the occasion of it, tliot it
proceeded from a source tmly interesting lo hia feelings. She knew
of the alliance her (ather had projected for him with the R^isline
family, a project she never approved of, for Lady Euphrasia was tmly
disagreeable to her; and a soul like Mortimer's, tender, liberal, and
unoere, she knew could never experience the smnllet^t degree of hap-
pineaa with a being so imcongenial in every respect a» was Lady
Enphrasia to him. She loved her brother with the truest tendemcas,
and secretly believed he waa attached in Ireland. She wished to gain
liis confidence, yet would not solicit it, bfcanse she knew she had it
not in her power essontiidly to serve liim; her argnments, she was
Oinvinoed, would have little wdght with Ix>rd Cherbnry, who had
oft«t expreaaed to her hia aniiely for a connexion with ibe R,>slic\*

fiimily, Wich the loTcUneaa of Amanda's person, witU the elegnnOB
nl' her mnnupr, she was immediately chomied ; as she conversed with
her, o'^ti^tD vros adijcd to odiiii ration, and she believed that Mortimer
ivould not have omitted mentioQing to lier the beautiful danghler of
hid father's agent, hod he uot feared betraving too much emotioo at
liername. Bbeajipeared, toLady Aramiola, jubI tbekindofawoinaii
he would adore, jost tlie being that would answer all the ideas of
porfection (romantic ideas she had called them,) which he had
declared necessary to captivate hia heart. Lady Araiiiinta already
folt for her unspeakable tenderness; in tlie soltnesB of her looks, in
Lhe sweetness of her voice, there were resistless charms j and ahti
felt, that if oppreiiscd by sorrow, Amanda Fitzolan, above all other
beiuga, was the one she would select to give her consolation. The
coofujiion she betrayed at the mention of Mortimer, made her ladyship
tiQspectfhe was the cause of this dejection. She iuvolanlarily fastened
lier eyes upon her face, as if to penetrate the recesses of her heart, yet
with a tenderness which seemed to say, she would pity the secret aha
might there discover.
Lord Cberbury, at this moment of embarrassment to Amaodo,

CHILDnEN OT TUB ABDRT. 3Z9

what a chnnning, polite iniin his lordship waa ; and, in short, threw
unt Kuch bints, and entered into such s warm eulogiiim on his merita,
that Amanda began to tliinV- he vonld not find it very difficult to
prevul on her ladyship to enter once mora the temple of Hymen,

Amanda retired to her cbamher, in a state of greater bappioesa
than for a long period before she bad experienced ; bnt it was happi-
ness whioh rather agitated, than soothed the feelingis, particular!]!
bera, which were so susceptible of every impression, that

And lumlnf , lntioU«d loo.

Iter present linppiress was the ofiapring of hope, and therefore
peculiarly liable to disappointment ; a hope derived from the atten-
tlona of Lord Cherhury, and the tendemeaa of Lady ArmniiitA. Chat
tlie fond wishes i>f her heart might yet be reohzed; wishes, again
believed, from hearing of Lord Mortimer's dejection, (wliieh his sister
had tooched npon) from his absenting himself from the marquis'^,
were not anoongenial to those he himself entertained. She sat down
to acquaint her father with the particnlare of the day she hod passed,
for her chief consolation in her ahaonce from him, was, in the idea of
writing and hearing constantly ; her writing Gnislied, she sat by the
iire, meditating on the interview she expected would take place on
the ensuing day, till the hoarse voice of the watchmen proclaiming
past thrc« o'cloek, ronsed her from the reverie; elie smiled at the
mbstroction of her thonglits, and retired to bed to dream of felicity.

Bo calm were her dlumbers, and so delightfiil her dreams, that Sol
bad long shot his timorons ray into her cbamher ere she awoke. Her
■pints still continued serene and animated. On descending to the
dc&wlng-room, she found Lady Oreystock just entering It. After
breokfkst, they went out iu her ladyship's carriage to difi'erent porta
of the town. All was new to Amanda, who, during her former
reKidence in it, had been entirely confined to lodgings in a retired
street. Slie wondered at, and wna amused by the crowds continually
passing and repassing. About four they returned to dross. Amiinda
fcegan the Inhoura of the toilet with a healing lieart; nor were its
qoifJt pulsations decreased or. enlering Ijidy Greystock's carringe,
which in a few raiwitcs conveyed her lo Lord Clicrbnry's house ia

8L JwDfti'e Sqnate. She followed her ludyitliip witb tottering eUpM; '
and ilie first abject she suw, un entering tbo drawiux-roam, was Uor-

timer standing; near t>io <lcK>r.

OHAPTEB XXV.

Ik tlie drnwing-room were already assembled the tnarqnts, mar-
ohiooess, Lady Eniihrasia, Mias Malcolm, and Froelove. Ladj
Araminta pe'ceived, m tbe hpei'.ttini; voice of Amanda, llie emotions
which agjlatwl he, ar.d which were not diminished, when Lord
Cherbiiry taking her troiiiblinit tinnd, said,

"Mortimer, I pre9Di.t> -.-''. i hare idready seen Hiis Fitzalaa ia

CHILD It EN or Tur iBBEr. S3 1

■di'oncaa Anil J*i\y Euphnuija Fegftr(]ei1 her, shu ezei'ted lier •pint*,
.tnd van BooD a.'iLe to Juio tbo general coDTeraatiou, whiob Lord
UortiiQcr protjuiIiKL

le iineipcoteU erriTii] of Amiuida in Loudon, astonished tad
notwithstanding bis re^eotmeat, deliglited him. His sister, when
thnj were alone in tlie nioroing, liad mentioned her with all the
fervency of praise; her pluuditA pAve biui a sensaLioa of satisfied
pridn, wliich oonTiDcod him ho woa tiot less than ever intereated
ahoDt Ainaiida. Since liia retam from Ireland, he hud been distracted
\)j iDc«rtitade and anxiety about Ltr; the iunoceni^e, pnritj and ten-
demers she bad duplaved, woreperpe'aally reourring to his memory;

. it Tiu impnwiblo, be thouglit, thej could be feigned, and he began to
'lliink the apparent injstery of her conduct slie eould satisfactorily

t bave explained ; that deiiignedly she hod not avoided him : imd that

. bat fwr the impetnoMty of his own passions, which hod induced hia
preeipitate departnre, be might ere this ba^o had all bis doubts
removed. Tortured with inc-es&ant regret for tlils departure, be
ipould have returned immediately to Ireland, but at ttiid period found

.,it impos»b1e to do so, without exeitiog inquitiea from Lord Cher-
bnry, which at present be did not choose to answer. He had planned
n eicur^on thither the ensuing sammer, with Lady Aramintji, deter-
mined no longer to ondore his Huapense; be now ainioat believed the
peculiar inter])OsitioD of Providence had brought Amanda to
town, thus afibrdiug him anoClier opportuully of having his anxiety
Kheved, and the ctiief obatoule, perliaps, to bis, and, he flattered
himsell^ also to her happinef«, removed : for if asaured her precipitate
journey from Wales woa OMOsioned by no motive she need biusb to
tTow, he fdt be should be better enabled to combat the difficnltiee he
was convinced his father wonld throw In the way of their miion.
Sotwit^s tending Lady Amniinla's endeavoum to gain Lis implicit
lOonfidenM, ho resolved to withhold it Ihtm bor, lest she should incur
1 the lempornry di^pleiicuro of Lord Clidrbnry, by the warm
intereal be knew ibe woii.d l.tke in hia nJain, if ouce informed of
them.

Amauila looked thinner and palor than when be had seen her in
Ireland, yet, if possible, more in(ore?rting from Iho^e drcnmrtaiicoB ;
ttnd, from the soft glance slie bad involuntarily directed towards Ii!io
nt thi> enlvanee, he was tempted to L'link he ha^, in sume degree, con^

983

CHILD B«M or TBE

tribstod ti> rob her loTely olMek of its bloom ; ind tbla IdM n
berdeow Uun ever to him. — Soaroely oouldhe ratnin thsTaptan.
he felt OD M^g her, within l^e necesauy boondi; aoaroalj oould b*
belieie the loene which hwl given rise to hii bi^pbuM nal; Ui .
heartat theinouMDt,meltingwithtonilemeH,iigfaad{br thepariodtf .
Biplanaljon, whiob be trusted, wluch he hoped, wonld tlaa b« th*
period of reoondliation. •■/;

The gentlemen jtdned the lodiea «bi>nt ted time, ud u no additlnul
oompany were expected, Ladj EnpLrasia propMed » putj to tb»
tantheoD : this was immediately agreed to, Amanda waa deligfatad:-
•t the proposal, aa it not onljr promised to gr«til|f her coriosi^, but
to give Lord Mortimer an opportonitj of addreaiiDg ber, aa aha MiT'
he wished, bnt Tainljr attempted at liome. Tha MarqnU and Lovd
Oherhnr; declined going. I«dj QrejBtook, who hjKl not orderad -
her oarritge till a mnoh later hour, aooepted a plaoa in the n>Br<
ohioneea's.

Keither Lady Enphrama, nor Uibs Maloolm, ooold bear the idea of
Iiord Uortimer and Amanda going in the same oarri^e, aa U>e pt«*
(if Ijidy Arnminta, thej ivere conviiiceJ, wonlii ii

239

orereprearl the couuteaance of Amanda; her Land Irembied Id hia,
[ And she fdt in tLiit moment recoiiipetiBed fur her former digappoiDt*
. rtnt, and eievnted above the Utile insolence of Freelove. Lord Mor-
I tin.er hooded her to his sister, who vaa waiting to receive her, and
I thej proceeded to the room. Lady Eophrssin entered it with a tem-
per nnfllted for enjoyment; she was convinced the whole sonl of
I- llortimer vrns deroted to Amanda, and she trembled, from tlie vio-
\ Wt and malignant feelings that conviction eiciled. From the
I moment Le entered the carriage till he quitted it, lie hod remained
i, notwithstanding all her efforts, and Miss Molcolni'a to force
I liitn into conversation. He left tliem as aooa as thcj reached the
FontheoD, to watch the marchioness's carriage, which followed
I theirs, and on rejoining Amanda, lie attached himself entirely la her,
i 'Jrithout Boj longer appearing aniloas to conceal his predilection for
He hod, indeed, forgotten the necessity there was for conceal-
ing it; all bis feelings, all his ideas were engrossed by ecstasy and
tenderness. The novelty, tlie brilliancy of the scene, exdted snr-
prise and pleasnre in Ajnaoda, and lie was delighted with the ani-
mated description she gave of the effect it prodnced npon her mind.
In her he foand united, exalted seiise, lively fancy, and an nnoor-
I npted taste: he forgot tliat the eyes of jeiUonsy and malevolenoe
I were on them; he forgot every object bat herself.
I But, alas I poor Amanda was doomed to disappointment this evati'
I lag. Lady Oreystock, according to a hint she had received, alter a
I few rounds, stept np to her, and declared ehe mnst accompany ber to
I ■ seat, as she was convinced her health was yet too weak to boar
I Hioch fatigue. Amanda assured her the was not in the least fuligned,
I and that she would prefer walking: besides, she had half promised
I Lord Mortimer to dance with hira. This l.Ady Greystiick absolutely
I declared she would not consent to, though I..ady Arominta, on whose

■ Aim Amanda leaned, pleaded fur ber friend, assuring her ladyship
I "abe would take care Mins Fitislsn should not injure herself."

I "Ah, yott young people," said Lady Greystock. "are so carried
Imray with spirits, jou never refiect on consequences ; but I declare,
ftaa she is intrusted to my care, I could not onsner it to my conscience

■ to lot her run into any kind of danger,"

I Lady Aramiuta remonstrutod with ber ladyship, and Amanda
^ would have joined, but that she feared hor real motive for so duing

•234

wonid Lave !i6on diacoTereJ. She percei red tlie parly \r
n-utn proceeding on ber account, and iuujie<]iueel}' offered her arm to
l-aiy Greystock, and aooompanied her and the marchioness to a seat,
TjLdj Euphrasia, catching hold of Ladj Araminta's arm, hurried
ber, at the Baine instant, into the crowd ; Mies Malcolm, as if bf
clajice, laid her hand on Lord Mortimer, and tbns compelled him to
attend her jiarty. She saw him, bowever, in the coarse of the ronnd,
preparing to ll; off; hut when they had completed it, lo her ineiprea-
eible joy, the situation of Amanda made hini relinqniih his intentvon,
OS lo converse with her was utterly impossible, for the marchioness
bad placed her Iwtween Lady Greystoclc and herself; and, onddr tba
pretence of freqnentiy addressing lier ladyship, was contianally lean^
iug Bcroaa Amanda, so as to exclude her almost &om oliserraticm,
thus recdering her situation, exclusive of regret at being eeparatad
from l.ord Mortimer and Lady Araminta, highly dUagreeahle. I^a
marchioness enjoyed a malicious joy in the nneasinesa she saw sh»
^ve Amanda: she deemed it but a ttlifcht retaliation for Uie uneasi-
ness alie had given La<ly Enphraaia ; a trilling pnuishment for the
admirntion she had excited. '

^ CHILDRK.V or IMS AbUBT. '245

all interested about eitLer, wouW linvo been tmly flattering. Aa

thin, however, was not the j'oung bixoncl's case, afiiT pajing Lis

•wmpUioentfl, in & general way, to llm whole party, ho was making

■lis purtitig bow, when his companion, pnlling him by the sleeve, bid

Ijm observe a beautiful girl sitting opiHisite to them. They bad

(topped near the uutrchioneas'f seat, and it was to Amanda Sir

CSuHm's eyes were directed.

ft-— "Orackms heaven," cried he, Btarting, while Mb cheek was siiffoBed

■Mtli a ^ow of pleasnre, " can this be possible ? Can this, in reality,"

Brisandng to bor seat, " be Uias Fitzalan ? This surely," continued

bn, "is ■ meeting aa fortunate aa nnexpected ; but for that, I shunld

■tare been posting back to Ireland in a day or two."

B Amanda blushed deeply at thus publicly declaring her power of

KMgnlatiiig hia aotiuna. Her confusion restored that recollection bis

■Joyful surprise had deprived him of, and he addressed tbe mar-

■Uhloness and Lady Groyalock. The former haughtily bowed, without

Biyiiiliiii[ and the latter, laughing sigoificaittly, aaid, "sbe really

■tengined eosUsy on Uiss Fltzalun'a account, had madu him forget

■{My one eixe was present." Tlie situation of Amanda waa tantalizing

■tfl. an extreme degree to Sir Obarka: it precluded all con\-crsatiuii,

■■id frequently hid her fVoin his view, as tlie innrcLioncas and Lwly

npteyatock adll continued their nretendcd whi3|ien. Sir Cbiirles bad

■wme knowledge of tbe marcldonesa's disposition, and quickly per-

BHidved the motive of bcr present londuut.

^s "Tour kdjsbip is kind," said lie, "in trying to hide Miss Filzalnn,
mm no doubt yun are conscious 'lis not a i^light heari-arlie the would
■Mve to some of the belles prese-nt tliiji evening; but why," continued
mb^ taming to Amanda, "do you prefer sitlinj to \inJkingi"
Bk Arnanda made no answer; Imt a glance fniiu Loj' eipresaire eyes
U* tbe kdios, informed him of the reason.

H^liody Enphraiiia and HL'»> Vakolm, provi ked at the abrupt dcpar-
Bttre of Kr C%nrle9, had buTiod on ; bat scortjcly had they proceeded
Uf tow yardii, ere envy and curiofily induced thorn to tui'u back.
B|^y Arnminta perceived tlutir cliogrrn, and sweetly enjoyed it. Sir
BSharles, who liad been looking iiupaljenily for their approach, the
IkmTient he perceived Ibetii, entreated Amanda to join llieui.
^V "Let me," cried be, ^reseating liia hand, "be your knlglit un the
KjWflcnt ocarion, and tlulirer you fiiim wliat may he callt'J ab&ulutH

site liesiuteJ not to acoept bi3 offer; the conlioual buu 111 Ite

room, will] tLe pastdng and re-paasing ol'tliQ oonipan;, Itnd made hor
Dead giildj' ; she d««ined no epukigy r«tiiusite to her companions,
uud, qaitting her eeat, hastened forward to Lad; AraiiuDta, who ha^
ftopi>cd for her. A crowd at that mouient luterToniog betwees
tlieai retarded her progress. Sir Charles, pressing her bond with
t't'rvour, availed himself of this opportiinit; lu express hie pleasure ft
their unexpected meeting.

" Ah I how little," cried he, " did I imagin* there woa such happi*
Tieas la store for me tliis eTeningE''

"Sir Cliarles," said Amanda, eDdearoaring, thoDgb in vain, to
withdrew her hand, "yon have learned the art of flattering uno».
jour return to England,"

" I wish," oried he, " I had kaniod the art of expressing as I wiali
the sentiments I feel."

Lord Mortimer, T-ho had made way through the crowd for tb«
Indies, at thi^ instant ajipeared ; he ficciried to recoil at the sitaatiun
of Amanda, whose hand waa yet detained in Sir OLarles's, while tiia

■ VBiLSRi:! or T U S ABBir. ?3T

I fany herkdyBhip, as they believed Lnnl Ifordmer ulreaily gone, and
I Ae and Amanda, therefore, returned alune. Sir Charles was inviud
I to fliipper, an inritation be joyfully accepted, and promised to follow

■ ker btdyBliip as noon as be bad appiiaed the party be came witb of
W b* intention.

I Lady Araminta and Amanda arrived eome time before the reit. of
I* llie party ; ber ladysbip snid, " tbat her leaving town was to attend
I Hie nnptialfl of a particnkr friend," snd was eipreneiog ber Lopes,
I that on ber retnrn, she sboold often be favoured with the mmpany of
K Amanda, when tlie door suddenly opened, and Lord Mortimer
■'Mtered. He looked pleased and surprised, and taking a seat un the
KMb between them, exckinied, aa he regarded tbem with nnntterablo

■ fanderness, " Surely, one moment Uke this is worth whole hours,
■'■Mb M we have lately spent. May 1," looking at Amanda, "say,

■ tbat chance is now ])rupltiun8 to lue, aa it was some time ago to Sir
KOIurle* Blngley f Tell me," continued be, " weje you not agreeably
■ilBrpriscd U>-nighti"

■ • "By the Pantheon? Undonhfedly, njy lord."

■ • "And by Sir Ohorles Bingley I"

^ " No ; he is too slight an acquaintance, either to give pleasure

■If Ills presence, or pain by his absence."

■"'Tills was jnst what Lord Moilimer wanted to bear. — The loots of

KAjnando, and above all, the manner in whieb she had received the

Mllentions of Sir Obarlc^, evinced her sinoerily. The shadow of jeal-

Mny removed. Lord Mortimer re<'^vered all his animadon. Nerei

KSms the mind feel ao light, so truly happy, as when a painful doubt

Fl> banished fi-om it.

I " Uiss FHzalon," said Lndy Arnniinta, reenrring to what Amandr

Brlwd Jnst aaid, " con soo few beings like herself capable of e.tcitinf

Kfaunediste esteem : for my part, I cAnnot persuade myself that she it

^^ Be<)naintanee of but two days, I feel snch an interest in ber vel-

Hfere, such a sisterly regard." She paused and looked expressively on

Hktr brother and Auiando. Ills fine eyes beamed the liveliest

BiMtBnre.

■~ ' " Oh, my sister," cried he, " encourage tliat sisterly nffi?ction : who

ho worthy of posseting it as Miss Fitzal&n t and who but Amanda,"

BlDiiiinaed he, patoing bis arm around her waist, and sotXly wliisiierin^

ttoJia', "atiall hare a right to daiin itt"

2.18 0Hll.DB««OrT.lttABBK*-.

The stopping of the Cftrriagcs Dow BonoDnced the return of thi
party, and tenninated a scene whicli, if much longer protraotad,
might, by iucrcaaing their agitation, have produced a full discovery of
their feelings. The ladies were attended by Sir Chariea and Fr«e-
love. Tlie marquia and Lord Cherbury had been out, bol retomed
about this time, and Boon after supper tlie oompany departed, Lady
Aramiota tenderly bidding Amanda farewelJ.

The cares which bad so long preyed iijwn the heart tif Amanda,
and diaturbed its peace, were now vanished; the whisper of Lord
Mortimer had assured her, that ahe was not only the object of his ten-
derest affectiona, but most serious attention ; the regard of Lady
Aramlnta flattered her pride, as it implied a tacit approbation of ber
brother's choice.

The next morning immediately after breakfaat, Lady Greystook
went out to her lawyer, and Amanda was ntting at work in the
dressing room, when Sir Oharles fiingley waa announced. He now
expressed, if po9sil)le, more plejisure, at seeing her, Uian he had done
ihe preceding night; congratulated himself at finding her alone, and
repeatedly declared, from their first interview her image had n

C "So, till her Iftiljiship was read;," cried Sir Cliarlea, with qiiioknesil,
■f^.that no time might be lost, jon came to Miss Fitzulan ?"
9 Ix>ii] Uortimer made no rcplv ; he fronoed, aad rising directlj,
■■tightly sainted AmBnila and retired.

K Convinoed, as she was, that Lord Uortimer had made the visit for
•^ purpose of speaking mure explicit!; than lie had jet doue, she
floold not entirely conceal her chagrin, or regard Sir Charles without
if^me displeasure. It had not, howcx'er, the effect of innking him
. rioit ; he continued with her till Lady Greystook's return,
fit whom he proposed a party that evening for the opera, and
^toioed pennissioD to wait apon her ladyship at tea, with tickets,
iJ^tvrithstanding Amanda declared her dlsincli nation to going: abo
irbhed to avoid the pnblicas well aaprivateattentiouB of Sir Charles:
|)iit both she found it impossible to do. The impresgion which the
of her mind and form had made on him, was of too ardent,
pennsnent a nature to bo craved by her coldness : generons and
his notions, affluent and independent in his fortune, he
ilher required any addition of wealth, nor was nnder any control,
lUrhicb could prevent bis following his inclinations: his heart was
^eot on an anion with Amanda; though Imrl by her indifference, he
would not allow himaelf to bo discom-aged by it ; time and perseve-
rance, be trusted and believed, would conquer it, Unaccustomed to
disappointment, be could not, in an affair which so materially
ooncemed hia happiness, bear the idea of proving ansucceasfiil. Had
Amanda's heart been disengaged, he would probably have sncoeeded
ts he wished ; fbr he was calculated to j'lease, to inspire admiration
jAd esteem ; and Amanda felt a real friendship for him, and !>incerely
ived that his ardent regnrd could not be reduced to oa temperate
medium as hers.

Lady Greystock hod a numerous and brilliant acquamtance in
idon, amongst whom she was continually engaged. Sir Charlus
well known to them, and therefore almost continually attonde'l
LndA wherever she went. His unremitted and particular nltentinu
«d nniveraal observation, and he was publicly declared the
ifcssed admirer of Lady Oreyatock's beautiful companion. The
lellation was generally bestowed on her by the genOemav; as
ly of I.acly GreystDck's female inmates declared, from the appear-
of thp giri, as wpII ti* Jier distressed sitnnlion. Ilioy wi ndpr".! Sii

ClisriM Binglej uonld ever tLlnk abont her; for her la(l_\'sMp hiS
represented lier as a perann in tlie most indigent circumstanoes, on
■wliicli account she bnd taken her under her protection. All Ih«*
envy, hatrtd, and m^ce cniiM Bng^;«8t against her, Miss Malcolia
Boid. The niarchioneaa and Lisdj- En[i!ira«in, judging of her b- them-
Belvea, anpposed, Iluit, as she waa iwit sore of Lord Mortimer, sh«
wonld accept of Sir Cliarles j and though this raeasare would remoTS
alt apprehensions relative to Lord Mortimer, jet tlje idea of th«
wealth aud oonsequence she would derive from it, almost distracted
them; thus does envy ating the bosoms which harbonr it.

Lord Mortimer ngiiin resumed his reserve : he was freiineotly In
company witli Amanda, but never even attempted to pay lier any
att«ition; yet hU pyes, which she so oflen caught rivetted on her,
though (lie moment slie perceived them they were withdrawn, seemed
to say, that (he alleratiun in liis manner was not produced hj^iiny
diminution of tenderness : he was indeed determined to regnlste hii
conduct by hers to fiir Oharles: though pained and irritated by Mb
assiduities, he had too moch pride lo declare a jirior claim to her
regard ; a woman who eoidd waver between two object*, he deemed

strauger nu aboDt ilie iiiiddlo p«rIuJ of Ule; his ilrcss uiinoaDoed
Lim a military man, aiid hid llireod-bero oouC secmud tu dwlure, tliaC
whatever Jaictls be Lad gathered, Uiej were barren onea. Ilia form
aiid luce were intereatiog: infirmity ajipeared to preus upon one, nod
sorruw hod deep')' marked the other, yet without ilcapoitiug It of a
certain expree^iun whidi indicated the liihLrity nature liod once
stomped Dpun it; ' ii lemplea were sunk, aud lii^ ciieck fmloil to &
aickl; hue- Aiiiandi felt immediate reajiect aud sensibility fur the
interesting fignro bufai her ; the feelings of her soul, the early lesaona
of her youth, luiil tauglit her to reverence distress ; and never perbapa,
did Jic think it so peculiarly aftacting, as wheu in a mihtary garb.

The duy was imcmnmoul/ severe, and Ihe stranger shivered with
the cold.

"1 derluro, yoiiri^ lady," cried he, as he took the clioir which
Amanda uad placed fur him by the fire, " I Ibink I shotild not trem-
b!e more tiefore an enemy, than I do before this <Uy: I don't know
but what it is as easentinl fur a subaltern officer to stand cold oa Bre."

Aifimda amiled, and rej^inned her work; she was busily employed
imiking a trimming ofuriilioinl llowera for Lady Greystock to present
to a young laily, from whose family she bad received some oblignliona,
'nUs was a clieap mode of Kturuing them, as Amanda's materials

" Your employment is on entertaining one," said the stranger, "and
jour rosos Ltei'ally without iborns: such no donbt as you oipeot to
gather in y&ur path throng' liie."

" No," replied Aiitoiidii, " I have no Bticli espectation,"
P. J, " And yet," wtid he, "how few ut your time of life, particularly if
^Bjinesaed of your advantoees, could moke such a declaration."
^V -** Whoever Lad rcflectioit undoubtedly wonld," replied Amanda.
"That I dlow," cried he, "bi-t how few do we tin J with reflection 1
— from the young it is haiiished as the rigid tyrant that wonld forbid
the enjoyment of the pleasure they pant after: and from the old it is
tnc often expelled h9 on enemy to that forgotfulnesa which can alone
cnsaro their trflriuiHity."

" Bnt in botli, I trust," said Amanda, " yon will allow there are
esoepti(

^p'

" Perhaps there are ; yet often when conswence has not reaa
rUty liHS cause to fear reflection: wliidi not only n

tbe TMolIeution of happf hourB, but inspiret such a tegttl tw
InsE, h» almost uofita the Boul for <idj exertions ; 't is iadeed bcftull-

full; describoil in tliese linefl :

Liid thoagtit irhat lin eaii
himself, ta his cmintnnane*
e TcviYRd, hiivevcr, in a htrl

And tuniiig iLJ thfl pusC w

Amauiln atw-ntivply waltbed him,
-ili|)uiirvd lo lie particularly applkalilo b
raduincd a mure dejected expressinn. 1

" I hove, m; dear jouog ladj," continued he, Bmiliog, " bpgnil*^
yiiu most Bubcrly, aR Lady Graoe anja. into ciinTetsaiion : 1 barsf
however, given you an opportunity of amusing ytiuc fancy by draw-
ing n oompariaon between an old veteran and a joong soldier; ttok
though you mny nlloir him more animation, I trust you will no:
tno w) niiich injustice as to allow iiim more tawie; while he inerplj
extolled the lustre of your nyea, I ghoulil admire tlie mildness wliinh
tcnipcreil that luatre ; while he praised the glow »f your eheek, I

luld adore that BenBJbilitv which bad v

f fai« Inrgc family; >ui<I from bis nppmraiiee, she conjectured tlipj
lasl be ID distress. There ivbs a kiod of huniurous Fadnci^s Jn liix
BUiDtier, which affected her even more tlian a settled nielanuhdly per-
haps would hare done, as it implied the efforts of n, noble heart to
fepet dorrow ; and if there cannot be a more noble, neither nurcl; nan
e be a more affecting flight, than that of a good and bravo man
■tntgglitig with adverBity.

8 ehe leaned peneively against the window, refiectiog on the
Tftrioui inequalities of fortune, yet still bclieTing the; were desiftned
' lij a wise Providence, like hill and Tallpy, tnutually to benefit each
other, ehc saw Rushbrook eroaa the street: his walk was the slow
knd lingering walk of dejection aud diaappointment : he raised his
hand to his eyea, Amanda euppoaed lo wipe away his tears, and her
'tfiTD fell at the supposition. — The severity of the day had increaaed ;
B heavy shower of scow was falling, against which poor Euelibrook
oo Bhelter but his threadbare coat. Amanda waa unutterably
■■ffected ; and when he disappeared from her sight, she fell into a sea-
fimental euliloquy, something in the stvlo of Yoriek.

'* Was I mistress," eiclaijncd she, as she beheld the splendid c(tr-
<>iag08 jiaEBing anil rcpojiiaing, "wasi mistresa of one of these carriages,
«ti olO suldier, like Ruslibrook, shuuld cot be exposed to the Jnclem-
'inoy of awintrj eky; neither should his coat be threat! -bare, nor hia
'%Mrt 0[ipre8Bed with angoisli ; if I saw a tear upon his cheek, I
would say it had no business there, for comfort wa* about revisiting
tain." As she spoke, the idea of Lord Uorllmer uconrred ; her twia
' Were sns])en<Ic<l, aud lier check liegan to glow.

" Tea, poor Rnshbrook," she esclaJmed, " perhaps the period is not
r distant, when a bonnteous Providence, through the bands of
''Amanda, may relieve thy wants ; when Mortimer himself may be
her assistant in the office of benevolence."
Lady Grejstock's woinnn now appeared, to desire she would come
' 'down to her lady. She immediately obeyed the summons, with a
•ecret hope of hearuig something of the Donference. Her ladyship
teceived her witli on exulting laugh.

•' I have good news to tell you, my dear," eiclaimed she: " that
or wretch, Rusbbrook, has lost the friend who was to have sup-
ported him in the lawsuit ; and the lawyers, finding the sheet uni'hor
ipne, hare steered off. and Inft him to shift for himself; the miaera-

and bis family must cortdoly etarre; only tliink i^b^a
assnnince ; he came to saj-, indeed he would now bo wljified with A

" Well, madam," said Aiaaoda.

" Well, raadam," repented her ladyship, mimicking her Ciiinaar, " I
Uild liim I must be a fool indeed, if I ever coimeuted to »iicli a tiling,
urter his Bffronterj in attempting to litigate the will of Lis mnch
abused nocio, mj dear good Sir Geoffry. No, no, 1 bid Itlin proceed
in the suit, and all my lawyers were prepared ; aud alter so much
trouble on both sides, it would be a pity liie thinn iMius to nothing."

"As your ladyship, however, knows his extrbiueJisne^ no doubt
you will relieve It.''

" Why, pray," said her ladyship, smartly, " do yOB think lio lias
any claim upon me!"

" Yes," replied Amanda, "if not upon your justice, at least utxm
your humanity."

" So you would advise me to fiing away my money upon Liin J"

"Tea," replied Amanda, smiling, "I would; and as yimr Udyshlp
likes the expression, have yon fling it away profusely."

cuiLDRBir or Tue abbet. 245

Amanda mule no replj ; yet as »ho beheld her ladyship seated in
an easy chair, by n blazing fire, with a liirjre howl of ricli soup before
her, whiyh she took every morning, she cimld not forbear secretly
exclaiming, — nord hearted noman, eiigroased by your own gratili-
eatiouB, no ray of compassion can aoften your nature for the misfor-
tnnes of others; sheltered yourself from the tempest, yoa see it falling
trithoat pity, on the head of wretchedness ; and while yon foaat on
laiarics, thiut without emotion, on those who want e

• In 'he eveuiiJB tl)ey went to a lai^e party of tlie marchioness's;
Init tlii-'.igh the srcQe was guy and brilliant, it could not remove the
pontiTcmaa of Amaoda'a spirita; the emacial«d fomi of Rushbrook,
fCturaing to his deMtlate family, dwelt upon her roiod. A little, she
tlionght, OS she surveyed tlie magnificence of tlie apartmenta and tbo
fqileudour of the company which crowded tliem : a little from thii
parade of vanity and wealth, would give relief to many a child of
IndlgMice; never had llio tnitU of the following lines so forcibly
^Iruok her iraagir.ntion ;

U, lltik mfnk Che mj, UccnUm

ill. IIHU Uilnk thej, >rtilli thty
How mtrj ILd, llili rery nooiei
And lU Oir. uA rarlFlf of piln :

i Id fflddjr mirth.

Of t»
OfmlMir; I

From moll reflections aa these, she was disturbed by ihe entrance
tf Sir Oharles Bingley ; an as«al, he took his station by her, and in
i tbv minutoa after him Liinl Mortimer appeared. A party for
^ngtno war formed, in which Amanda joined, from a wiali of avoid-
fbg thi. absardiliea of 8ir Charles; but he ttxik care t<) aecore a seal
Wit her, and l^r-l Mii'r.mer sat opposite to them.

" Uingley,'' said a genilemin, after they hud been sometime at tht
mle, "yori are certainly the most changi'nble fellow in the world.
Abont threo wectt ap> yon were hnrryinjt everv thing fnr a jinmoy

0BILDKKK 0> FBI AftMX*

to Irdtud, H ir lift and daath depended on 7
here 1 still Sail f on loitering aboat the town."

''I den; the iDipntadon of changeabkneM," rapUed ti
" all my actions are regnlated," and be gjaneed at A-'fHa. ** fay OM
aonroe, one ottjeot."

Amanda bloabed, and oanght, at that rnonuB^ • poaatntini laolt
from Lord Mortimer.

Her dtnation iras eitremelj disagreeable : du dnadod Ida atta^
tioQs would be imputed to encooragement from her: clie had <Am
tried to snppreas them, and she resolved btt next tUbrt* ebunld bt
more reeolate. <^

Sir Gharlea reached Fall Mall Hie next noming, Jnut aa Ub
Grejetook wea Btepping into her clisriot, to aeqnaint har lawyer cj
Rnehbrook's visit. She informed liim that IDm Fltnlan waa in Hbft
drswing room, and he flew up to tier.

"Ton End," said he, "by what, yon heard last night, that mj
conduct has excitedsome surprise; I assure yua my fiienda think Z
must absolutely be deranged, to relinquish so aoddenlj a Jounqf I
appeared so aniions to take : suffer me," continued iw, taking her

347

"I will Dot, Miss FitziiLui," suiJ he, r&taming hit seat agu'n,
** believe you InSextblt); I will Dot bulieve that yna uio tUi'ik I ahaii
ao eosi If resign an idea, which 1 have so long ciieriahed nitii rapture,"
' " Snrely, Sir Oharfes," aaid Amanda, somewhat alarmed, " j'oa
eannot accuse me of having eDcoaragcd the ideut"

"Oh, DO," sighed he pan^iooatelv, " to me vou were alirajs iiu<
Ibrmly cold."

"And from whence tlien proceeded auch an idea?''

"From the natural propensity we all have to deceive our.:elve«,
And to believe that whatever we wish wiU he occompliahed. Ah 1
Um Fitzalan, deprive me not of so sweet a belief; I will not at
^Keent urge you to any material step to which you are averu; I
will only entreat for perrai;>sioa to hope that time, peraeveranoo,
■oremitted attention, may muke some impresGion on you, fiid at >adt
produce a change in my favour."

" Never, Sir Charles, will I give rise to a hope which I thiuk
Cannot be realized : a little reHectioD will convince yon, you should
liot be displeased, at my being so explicit. We are, at tliis moment^
both, perhaps, too much diBcompoaed to render a longer conference
desirable; pardon me, therefore, if I now terminate it, and be assured,
xsball never lose a grateful remembrance of the honour you intended
ne, or forget the friendship I professed for Sir Charles Bindley."

She then withdrew, without any obslrnctioii from hita : regret awl
Wsappointmcnt seemed to have BD!<])ended his faculties ; but it was a
momentary suspension, and on recovering thetu, he <]tiitled the house.

Bis pride, at first, nrged bim to give op Amanda forever; bat his
'■enderuees soon repressed his rawluUon. lie had, as he himself
^knowledged, a propensity to believe, that whatever Us wished WM
accomplish : this propensity proceeded from the cosmess with
which his iudlDations liad hitherto been gratitiod ; Battering himself
^at the coldness of Amanda proceeded more fii>m natuml reserve
vBuui particular indilFureuce to him, he still hoped she might bu

Inoed to favour him. She was so superior, in his opinion, to every
woman he bad seen ; to truly calculated to render him happy, that
violence of offended pride abated, he rcsulved, without another
vBurt, not to give her up. Without knowing it, ho had rambled to
James's square, and having heard of the friendship snbeisting

wnen Lord Clierbury and Fitialan, he deemed his iorJcliip a prcje*

perstpD 10 apply to on ihe present ocpwion ; tliinkiof^ that if ht
inte'.-eatcJ biinaeir in his favour, be miglit 3-et be sncceAsful. fit
oc«ordiTii;ly repured lo hia house, and was shown into aa aportnteot
wlicre tlie earl and Lord Mortimer were sifting together. After
paying the usual com pit meats, "I am come, m;^ lord," said he,
Boniewhat abruptly, "to entreat your interests id an affair which
materially concerns my happiness, and trust your lordship will exciM«
my entreaty, whan I inform yon it relates to Uiss FitialaD."

Th« earl, with mAich politeness, assured him, "he should fed
hapof in an opportunity of serving him," and ssiil "be did him 1>nt
Jiutice in supposing him particularly iotcrested about Miss Hualan,
Dol only as the danghter of his old friend, but from bor own great

Sir Charles then act]uainted him with the proposals ha had Jost
made her, and her absolute r^e<:^on of tiiem ; exprettsing liia hop*
tliat Lord Cherbnry would try to influence her in his favour.

"Tis very eilraordinary indeed," cried his lordship, "that SGss
Fi^iudin should decline such an honorable, such an adrantageaas
projiosal ; are yon sure, Sir Charles, there is no prior attaohment In

CHAPTEr: xsvir.

ftilx as emotian of snrpriHi ftt so tmexpecteil a visit, the buoV ib«

«fl rcadicg drtijijied frutii Auiaiuln, and sbo nruse ia visible agitalioD.

" I few," sfud Ills lorA'iliip, " I iiave intrnded eomewliat abraplly

foa yon: but my ftpologj for Juing so, must be ray ardent wiah of

ing an oppurtmiity bu propitious for a motual eclalrclssemeot ;

I opportnnUy I might, perhnpg, vainly Boel: again."

He took ber treubURg liand, and leading ber to a sofa, placed him-

ilf by li«r. As a means of leading; her to the desired cclaircisseinent,

^ dedareil Uie agonies be bad siiflered at retnrniag to Tudor HoU,

wad lir.diDg ber gone — gone iu a manner bo ioeiplicable, that the

he r^eoted on it, tlio more wretcbed he grew. He described

lie hopes and feard which alternately llnotnated in his mind daring

corlinnance in Ireland, and which oflen drove him into a elate

rly bordering on distraction : he mentioned the resolution (though

flpinfal in the extreme) whioh he had adopted on the lii-st appearanoa

'4f Sir Chorlta liingtey's paiiiciilarity ; and finally concluded, by

iparlng her, notwithstanding all his inoerlJtnde and anxiety, h\»

i^eraeas bad never known dimi nation.

Enconragkd by this asflnrance, Amanda, with roslored composnre,

Mbrmod him of the reason of ber precipitate journey from Wales,

the incidents which prevented ber meeting him in Inilond, as he

b*d expected; thongli delicacy forbade her dwelling, like Lord Hot-

i the wretchedness occasioned by their Bc^anvtion, and

MaCtuil miaspprcbanBiona of each other, ahe conld not avoid touching

i\ REifEciently, iud(>ed, to conriitce bim sbo had been a sympa-

at>fc pa<-ticipatur in all tlie nnensineas he had auffered.

Beetoied to tho confideno nf Mortimer. Amanda appear-id dearer

1 a\l Mul tl,*n ever; iilcamre h*nmor' frr>in his eye* as he pr<>s««i',

»C0 cuiLDnisorTiiEAUne*. I

ber to Ilia l>osoni, and eicliiinicd, "I may nigtua call yuu my ow
Amanda; o^nin tiketdi Gcencti of felicity, unJ call upon you bt
realize tliem." Tct in Ibe inid^t of IIjii tracsport, a guJden gloom
cloutletl his coaDtenanc«; mid after goziog un Iier ^oroe minates wilt-
pensive tenderness, lir: fervently exclaimed, " wo Id t" lieaven, in thia
Iionr of perfect rooondliotion, I could say, 1' xt (Jl obstacles to oar
fbliire linpijicea? were removed."

Ainniida involnntarily ilmdilered, nnil ocutinQtil Mlent.

"Tliat my fatlier will throw JifficnlUwi io the way of our anion, 1
cannot deny tlie apprehension of," aaiil Lord Mortimer; "though
ITi])y noble and gen^niag in his nnturo, ho U xnnetiiii'n, like the rot
of mankind, indaenced by interested iiu>tire3'. li« has Log, from wft
motives, set his heart on a connosion wiHi the Manjuis of Rosline'a
family; thongh ftilly determined in my intentions, I have liittietlo
furborne an explicit declaration cf them tu liiui, ti'ii^ting that sops
propitious chance would yet second my wlalies, and sa^e me t*.*
poinfbl necessity of dii^tarbing the harmony which lia£ ever snbflistod

Wdght properly be termed the cnp of false, inftead of res! p'coniire.
TTiinkinp, therefiire, as I do, that att aciim, willioat love, is abhorrent
to probity and sensibility, and that the dissipated pleasures of life ore
Dot only prejadicial, bnt tiresome, I naturally wished to Koure to
%Byself domestic happiness, bat never coiilJ it be exiicrii.n;eil except
;]Diiited tu a woman whom my reason thorooglily apiituvod, who
iliQuld at once possess my cnboandod confldeuco and tondereet affeo-
MoD, who should be, not only the promoter of my Ji'ys, hat tlie oa-
teager of my cares ; in yon I have fonnd such a wiinian, sncli a heing,
TfB I caDdidly confess «ome time ago I thought il impossible to me«i
Vth ; to yon I am honnd by a sentiment even strong;er than love, bj
pononr; and with real gratitude acknowladge Tny obligations, in
peing permitted to atone in some degree, x >i my errors relative tc
Von. But I will not allow my Amanda t ■ suppose tliese errors pri>-
Meded from any settled depravity of soul ; allowei! to be, as I have
^cfore said, my own master, at an early [leriod, from the natorol
SwnghtlesBD'iss of youth, I wns led into scenes, which the jmlgincnt
jDf riper year* has since severely condom ed; liorp, lao, often I met
pith women, whose manners, instead of clicoking, ,jave a latitade to

RMcIom: women, too, who from their situations ir life, had every
[vantage tJiat couUl be requiaite for improvtug tai] refining thuir
inds; from conversing with them, I grad 'ally imbibed a prqudioe
jgainit the whole sex, and ander that prejutlii ■• &ni beheld you, and
S)«red either to doubt or to believe tlie rea.ity of the innocence yon
upcored to possess.

"Convinced, at length, most fully, most h«ipily conrincetl of iia

llJity, my prqndices no longer reiiiaii'edi th«y vnr.ihlied like mists

^fore the sun, or rather hke the ihuMons of falHchouil hd'ore tho

« of troth. Were those, my dear Aioa ids, of yonr bux, who,

e yon, had the resistless power of pleasing, to use tlio faculties

isigned them by a huunteoua Provlcienca in the cause of vii'tue, tliey

woold soon check the diasipation of the times.

""ns impoasihle to e)q)ress the power »' eaotiftil fiinn has over a
ihind; Uiat power might be eierteil f.ir 'obler prrpoces; purity
miking bum love-inspiring li]>», would, iihe O.e rtice of Adam's
Mavenly guest, so sweetly breatlie upon the ear, as insensibly tn
I^SDencc the heart; the Lbertine it eorrectwl, wonl.', if not utl*rly
Mrdcned, reform; no longer should h« giory i'l hh vices, hat
tonclied nnd nhiuhed, in«lend of dwt roving, wi»r*iMV Ttnu^s! iXtVat,

" But I wander from the purpose uf my hodI; oonviiiced aa I un
of the diseimilaritj between my father's incHaatiODS and mine, I
thiolt it better to give nu intimatiuu of m; prenent intentions, Hhiah
if permittoil by yuu, I am un&itorably dstermined on fulfilling, sa I
shuuld consider it as bighljr insulting to him, to incur his prohibition
and then act in defiance of it, though my heart would glory in dtow-
ing its choice. The peculiar circumstances I have just mendoned,
will, I trust, induce my Amanda to excuse a temporary coDoealmant
of it, till beyond the power of mortals to ecparate ua ; a private and
immediate union, the exigence of siruation and the seouritj of fe-
licity demands ; I ahaU feel a tremtiling apprehension till I call you
mine ; life is too abort to permit the waste of time in idle scruples
and uumenning ceremonies ; the eye of suspicion has lon|; rested ob
us, and would, I am convinced, effect a premature discovery, if we
took not Mome measure to prevent it.

"Deem me not too precipitate, my Amanda," passing his ann
gently round her waist, " if I ask you. to-morixiw night, for the last
sweet prvKif of confidence you can give me, by putting yourself under
my protection ; a journey to Scotlac
t r shall make for it, all that is dut

26.1

Lord Mnrtimar hiutil^- demiiudnl iu source, and the reoson of iLo
vvidfl which hadjuBt escaped her.

■' Because, my lord," replied ahc, " 1 cannot consent to n clondsBtine
pKaaure, dot bear joq sLould incur the disploiiBureof LordCherbury
Ml my account. — Though Lady Euphmsia Sutherland ig not agreen-
Ue, Lhere are many women who, with eijunl rank and foKune,
|iiMi!Rfi« the perfection suited to your taste ; seek for one of ihene ;
ehiHiee from among them a happy daughter of pninpcrity, and let
F^Awandn. untitled, uoportloned. and unpleosing to your father, return
to an obsuurity, which owes its comforts to his fiislering; bounty."
.fi.DoBS this advice," asked Lord Mortimer, "proceed from Amandn'i
tearti" "No," replied she, hesitatingly and smiling through her
Itan, " not from her heart, but from a better counseilor, her reown."

"And «hatl I not obey ihe diclatea of renson." replied he, " in
uniting my destiny to yours ; reason directs us to seek happincsa
ibningh virtuous means : and what means are so adapted for that
■Mrposc, BM an union with a beloved and nmiablc w
4k, no titled daughter of prosj>erity, to use your
r attruct my affections fmni you. — " Imaglna
•bape besides your own to like of," a shape which even if despoiled
^ its grnces, ■wonid enshrine a mind so tnwscendontly lovely, as to
wcure my admiration. In chuoKing you ok a partner of my future
Mys, I do not infringe the moral obligation which eiists between
Ihther and son : for as on one band, it doeft not demand implicit obe-
ice, if reason and happinem must be sacrificed by it; nothing
diould have tempted me to propose a private union, hut the hope of
MCaping many disagreeable circnmslances by it: if yon persist, haw-
^rer, in n^eoting it, I shall openly avow my intentions, for a longer
asntinuance of anxiety and suspense I cannot support."

"Do you Ulink, then," said Amanda, "I would enter your family
Wnidit confusion and altercation f No, my lord, rashly or claudes-
tinely I never will consent to enter it,"

"Is this the happiness I promised myself would crown our reeon-
dliationF" exclaimed Lortt Mortimer, riniog hantily. and traversing
tbc apartment: "is an obstinate adherence to royal punctilio, the
Qily proof of regard I shall receive from Amanda ? Wilt she make no
tnflJng sacrifice lo the man who adores her, and whom she professes
Id eateera V

nJ No. Aman-
n words, nhall

tM

BR5 or TH

"Auj Mcrit^re, my Ion], compatible ivith virtne and filial AvtJ
luost witliii^ly iTonUI I inuke ; but bejund these limits, 1 tuiutt nut,
wnnnt, will not step. CoiJ, jojlca, nud unwortliy of yoiir acoeja.
ance would be tlie liond jou wotild receive, if given sgniDftt my cori-
viction nf n-liat waa I'igbt. Oli, never tuny tiie hour arrive, fn
wliicli I should blash tu see my futher ; in wbicli 1 slionld be occuioi!
of injuring the lionour intrusted to niy cl'nrge, and feel oiiprcsl vrith
t!ie cunscionaness of baviug planted lliuiiis iu tlie bmut Ibat depend-
ed on ine for liiippineosl"

"Do not be too iufleiible, my Amanda," cned T.nrd Mortimer,
resaming his sent, '^Dor sutTcr too great a degrcu of refitiemfot to
involve you ia wrelchedoeas; felicity is seldain Bltnlowlwithont wms
pain; a little resolution on your side, noajd ovi-rtNiuie any difBcuTliea
that lay betwceii as anil it; when the act was past, my father would
natiimlly lose his resentment, from perceiving its inoj^oauy, and
family concord would speedily be restored. Aramiuta adores yon:
will) rapture woulJ she receive her dear and lovely Gi8t«r to her
bosom 1 your futlier, happy in your happiness, wouid he convinced
his notions licretofore were too scrupulous, and that in complying

"Are tliesB leaw," suid lie, "to enforce me t" tlie imlj c^xpivlient
yfm say remains? Ah, mj Amanda," olnapfng lier.to liia brewt,
"tlie ta»!t of forgetting youoould nerer be occorapliahei], onuld never
ba attempted : life would be tasteless, if not spent w<tb joa ; never
Trtll I relinquish ilio delightful hope of an onion yet taking plane, A
•ndden thoii^'ii,'' roeumed he, after pausing a few minutes, "Las Just
aocnrred: I hovo on nnnl, the only remaining sister of Lord Cher^
fcnry, a generons, tender, eialted woman; 1 have ever been her par-
ticular ravourile ; my Amanda, I know, is the very kind of being she
♦onld select, if the rlmice devolved on her, for my wife; she is now
fa the country; 1 will wiite immediately, inform her of oar sitna-
'tlon, and entreat lier to come np to town, to use lier influence witb
^ny father in onr favmir. Iler fortune is large from ttie bequest of a
lieh relation ; and, fn-m the generosity of her disposition, I have no
fcfcnbt ebe wxuUl render the lose of Lady Enplirasia's fortune very
nmaterial to her linther, Tliis ia the only scheme I can possibly
'devise for the completion of onr happineas, according to your notions,
nd 1 hope it meeta your approbation."

' It appeared indeed a feasible one to Amanda ; and as it oonid not
"foreibly "T^ite any ideAS nnfavonrable to her father's integrity, she
pve her uiosent to its being tried.

Her heart felt relieved of an oppressive loail as the hope revived
AiBt it might be accomplished. Lonl Mortimer wiped away her
I ttofji, and the cloud which hong over tliem both being dispersed, they
stalked with pleasure of fiitnre days.
' 7x>rd Mortimer described the various schemes be had planned for
tteir minle of life. Amanda smiled at tlie easiness with which he
Antrivcd them, and secretly wished he might find it m easy to real-
a as to project.

"Though the retired path of life," said he, " might be more agreen-
B to us, tliac the fVequented and public one, we must make som«
le sacrifice of inclination to the community to which we belong.
n elevated station and affluent fortime, there are claims fWim snb-
,'VrdinAte ranks, which cannot he avoide<l wilhont itijiiring them ;
'Mither should 1 wish to hide the benntiflit gem I shall possess ic
Aeonrityi hot, after a winter nf what I call moderate dissipatian,
%e shall hasten to the sequestered shadee of Tudor Hall." He dwelt
ffith pleasnre on llie calm and rational joys they should ezpeHanca

ttiere: nor oould forbaar hiatjng itt the period wbn ■
■WW t^pKhie^ would be awikeiwd In tbeir snlt: wImb litdt firt*
tUng htixfft ihonld frolio baton tbem, Nid liUnllj akvm namim
tlMir patbs. H« ezprvmed his with of bxriag HI^iIu ft MoMafe
rMtdant with them: sod was prooeeding to nxatioti «aiiM dtaMtntr
h« intended at Todor Hall, wheo Iha ntom of laUj C.i7>todi% «■*<«•-.
riage efibotnall; diatnrbed him. - < •

Lord UortiiDer, however, had time to aHon Aiaaiid% tn A*
entered the room, that he had no doubt bat evrrjr Uilag T«dd mow
be settled aooording to th^ wudiee, and that h« wuald tak* wntfi
opportonitj her ladyship's ahauiee gare him <rf vtritiug b*r. . \:-

"So, BO," said Lady Oreysto^ oomiog into th« ntiiD, "flna kwr
bocu Miee Fitxalan's levee day; whj, I declare, my ibar, now that L -
know of the agreeable tM«-&-tMee yoD can aitJiiy, I thaU fed ■»
uneasiness at leaving yon to yonrsel£"

Amanda bloshed deeply, aod Lord Moraraer thoa^ 1r fltb t^wmk
he ]wro«Tei1 & degree of irony, wliich teemed to My all wm mrtrigU
in the speaker's heart towards Amanda ; asd on tUe Maamtt ha Ml'
man anxions tiian erer to tiave her nnder his owii protactton^ aai*

f:

CHiLDRiN or TUB ADsar. 227

fetttantly rMoIleetcd to he t!ie person, at whose Iionse she awl het
hther liail ludged oa quitting Devonsbire, lo secrete theinnelves from
Celonul Belgraie. This woman hod been bribed to sen'e him, and
JiAd fitrce<I nevertki letters upoti Amanda, who, tlicrefure, natursJIj
lUiorred the sight of a person that had Joined in bo infamous a plot
inst her ; and to her exclamation of anrprise and pleasnre, only
id a cnol Loir, and directly left the room. She wa» vexeA at
Dg this woman. The coodact of Cotonel Belgravo had hitherto
feMQ concealed, from motiTea of pride and delicacy; and to lady
'.'Oreystoct, of all other beings, she wiahed it not revealed ; her only
kope of its not, being so, was, that this woman, on her own account,
irotild not mention it, as alio mttat be conscious that her efforts to
sre not nndlsco'O.ed.
Mra. Jenningo had been housekeeper to Ijidy Greystoclt daring her
natdence in Eiiglaod, and so snccesefhlly ingratiated herself into her
inr, that thoiigti dismissed from her service, she yet retained it.
ly Qreystock wu surprised to see she and Amanda knew each
:, and Inquired minutely liow tho acqunintanca had oommenoed.
manner in which she mentioned Amanda, onnvinced Mrs. Jen-
Wngs she was not high in her estimation, and from tliis conviction,
she thonglit sije might safely assert any falsehood she [ileosed agunst
her. As slie knew enough of her lady's disposition, to be assnredsbd
never would contradict an assertion to the prejudice of a person sh*
taliked ; by what she designed saying, she trusted any thing Amanda
ight say against her would appear malicious, and that sheshouldalao
re»enge<l for the dindainfol air with which slie hiUI regarded her,
Bhe told her ladyt^hip, " that, near a year ba(^k, Miss Fitialan had
been a lodger of hers, as nlsn an old officer she culled her father; but
had she known what kind of people they were, she never would hare
admitted tlieru into her hnuae. Miss was followed by each a sat
of gallants, ahr really thought the reputation of her house would hara
lieen ruined. Among them was Ctiloncl llclgravc. a sad rake, whn
she believed was a favourite. Slie was determined on making them
decamp, when suddenly Miss went olF, nob<«ly knew where, but it
might easily be gaewed (■]. did not travel alone, for tbe culunel disap'
peared at tlie same time.''
The character of Fitialan, and the nniforra propriety of Amanda'i
forbid LadT Oreystook'a girind implicit eredlt to what Un

•68 CHILDIIKN or lilK ADBBr.

Jcnain^ wiul; she perceived iti it ilie exa{rgoi'at'um$ of mnlke and
Cnlseliooil, accaaiuned slie atii)iiose(l by dLwppoiuWd avarice, oi
oQeaded pride. Slie resolved, liowever, to relate all slie be&rd to th«
marohiunesa, witlioiit betraying the smallest doubt cf its veradty.

It may appear strange that Lady Greystock, hA^t tnking Amanda,
iinsulicited, under her protection, shoaid, without any cause of ciinii^,
£eck to injure lier: bnt Lady Greystock was a woman devoid of prin-
ciple; from selfish motives she bad taken Ama.H]a, anil IVoiii a«Ifiah
motives she was ready to sacriSce her. — Her 'o.lyship bad ajoyed so
much happiness in iier matrimonial connection]), that she h&d BO
objvoUou oguin to enter tlie lists of Hymen, and Lord Cherbury VM
Uio object at which her present wishes were pointed. — The mar-
cLioneSB bad liinted, in pretty plain terms, that if she coontersctod
Lord Mortimer's intentions respecting Amanda, sbo wonld forward
here relative to Lon! Cherbory.

She thought what Mrs, Jennings had alleged wjold effectnsUy toe-
ward their piniis ; as /ihe knew, if csllcd uf.on, slic wonld enpport iL
The next tnorning she went to Portman Square, to a
important inteUigeuce to tlie marcbionoss and Lady Enphn

■ CHILDRBK or T U S A

thoSr plot, tLat Lad; Grejntock qdiI Amanita slioald immediately
rRTTitive ti> ItiO marchiuness's boiiso; by tliis chango tif aboiie toti,
Luril Mortimer would be prevented taking auy material step reliitive
lo Anianda, till the period arrived, wben his own incLioaUoa wuuld
most probab'y, render aoy farther trouble on tbat acconnt unnece*.

Lady GroyEt«.,k, on her return Ui Pall Mall, after a warm enlo-

gium on tb« fhondi1ji{> of tlie morchiones.*, mentioned tlie invitation
eIib had pviiU tlioni lu Ler house, tvliicb hIib declared slie conid not
reluse, en it was made from an ardent desire of enjoying more of
liieir Bocioly tbau sbe had hitherto done dnring their abort stay in
London. Sno also told Ainanilo, tliat botlt tlie marchioness and Lady
Euphrasia had enpreh^ed a tender regard fur her and a wiiib of prov-
ing to tiia wor>a that any coolness wliich existed between their fomi-
lies, WW removed by her becoming their gnesL

This pnjeoted removal viaa extremely ditagreealile to Amanda, as
it not only terminated the morning interviewa whicli were to take
place be'.wocn her and Lord Mortliiier, diiring the abaence of Lady
Orey«t nn with her lawyers, bat threatened to impose a restraint on
her lookd as well aa actions, being confident, from the views and
audpicions of Lady Enpiiratia, she should continually be watched
with tiie oluscst circwnsiJection. Her part, liowever, was aequieft-
cenoe; the lud^ngs were discharged, and the next morning they
took uji their re^iideiice under the Marquis of Rosline's roof, to the
uiliuite surprise and mortifii^tion of Lord Mortimer, who, like
Amanda, anticipated tiie diaagrceable consequences which would

Tlie atti.'red manner of the marcliiones-i and Lady Eupliraaia sni^
prified AoianJa; they receivtd her not merely with politenena, but
aiFeC^on rer4ti>itulat«d all Lady Greystoclc hail already said, ooneern-
iiif tiuJi ii^i-d; bid her consider herself entirely at homo in their
hoiL'^ and aj-ri-'inted a maid solely to attend her.

Kotwilhataiuling their former cool, even oonteraptnous conduct,
AmajMli, the child of innocence and simplicity, could not believe the
Blter'at:un in their manners feigned, she rather believed tltat her own
I'ationLB and humility had at length ooncillated llieir regard; the
p^Msed her, and like ever)- other, which the sopptsed could givo
atber sntisfaction, it was instantly communicated to him.

CBILDKKK or

T8K A.BBir

^bu r^nnd herself most agrecnMj miEtaken, relative to the r«ntraiDt
she liad fesred; she was perfect mistresa of her r-wn lime uai
unions; and wlien slie saw Lord Uonimer, do loweriai; I'loLs, no
siudied interference, aa lierotofnro, from tlie marcliU nsaB or i^tdf
Euphrasia, prevented their frequenCl; convereing t.>eother. Ths
nmrchiouess made her severo! elegant jiresents, nn<l f>i<if SiipliraiiU <
fretpientlf dropped the fonnal appellation of liiiss Fiiralao, for tlie
iiinre familiar one of Amanda.

Sir Charles Binglcj, agreeable to his resolution of not relinqnishiag
Amanda without another eObrt for her favour, (tiiU porulutod in Iila
attentions, and visited constantly at the marqiiiB's.

Amanda had been abont a furtuiglit in Purtmon SqnofC, <rhan slw
■went one niglit with the marchioness, Laily Euphraaio, Mi^s VnU'olm
and Ijidy Grey^toek, to the Pantheon. Loni Itortimer had told her,
that if he could possibly leave a particular party he was engaged t«^
he woold be there. She therefore, on tliot tux-iumt, wished to Lcep
hereelf disengaged ; bnt immediately on her entrance, she was Joiueil ..
Ijy Hir Cliarlea Bingley, and she found she miist cithur atnee vnlh
him, ft* he reijuesied, or consent to listen to bia usuid epn.-4-j-.-(a!ioa;

L Bel

her a conveyBnce home. Her optatiou now became contagiong; it
wad visible to Sir Chortes that it proceeded from seeing Coloael Bel-
jm^e, nnd lie trembled as he supported her.

BclgraTc offered hia Be^vice^ in assistiDg to support her from tho
bat she motioned witli her hand to repolse hini.

At the door the; met Lord Uortimer entering. Terrified by the
iitnalion of Amanda, all cnution, all reserve foraook him, and his
rfijiid and impasuioned inqniries betrayed the tender interest eho had
in his heart. Unable to answer them heraeli^ Sir Charles replied for
her, saying, "eho had been token extremely ill o^r dancing," and
added, " he n-ould resign her to hia lordship's protection while be
went to proem* her a chur."

Lord Mortimer received the lovely trembler in his arms ; he eoftly
colled her Lis Amanda, the beloved of his so^il, and she began to
revive: his presence was at once s relief and comfort to her, and his
language soothed the perturbations of her mind ; but as she raiaed
her head from hia shonlder, she beheld Colonel Belgrave standing
near ttiem. Ilia invidious eyes fastened on her; she averted her
head, and saving the air would do lier good, Lord Mortimer led lier
forward, and took this op|>orturiity of expressing his wishea for the
period, when he should be at liberty to watch over her with guardian
care, soothe every weakness and soften every care.

In a few minates Sir Charles returned, and told her he bad-pro*
cured a cliair. She thanked hiw with grateful sweetness for his
attention, and requested Lord Mortimer to acquaint the htdies with
the reason of her ahmpt departure. Eis lordship wished himself to
have attended her to Portman Sqnare, bnt she thought it woidd
appear too particular, and wonid not suffer him.

She retired to her room, immediately on her return, and endeav-
oured, though Dnsntieessl'ully, to compose her Bpirits.

The distress she suffered from Belgrave's conduct bad left an
Impression on her mind, which could not be erased ; the terror bia
presence inspired, was too powerful for reason to oonqner, and rai^eil
Ihti nuist gloomy presages in her mind; she believed him capable of
anyvillnny: his looks had declared a continuance of illicit love: sho
trembled at the idea of Lis stratagems being renewed: her appre-
henniona were doubly painful, from the necessity of concealment, lest
tliote dearer to her Iban eiistencc, aboold be involved in danger on
l>«r anoooDt. To heaven alie looted up for pTotecUtm, «mk\ Cbxs \i«T^ot«

of her htait i

iLBRis or TMi Aiaav.

•oraawhat 1h

Md,«HlMiDI

leader the unu of BelgraTs agalnat hor pewN^ H sbortiT* an 4m>
■gaiut h«r innooenoe h«d been.

Or OharlM Bing^ pvtad from l4rd IbirlliMr inudlatt^ iA*
Amanda's departure, and rotamed arm in am with Ttilgiail tt H*
room. "BelgraTB," aald ha afamptlj, afiv mi^iic aaaa/niimtK^
"70D know Huh ElUelant" --^

Balgnve answered not hastilr; he appaarad m U dtUbmaUw^Mm
tiMnpljb* ahonld g^n; atUat, "I do know IOh Sttaiai^ «iii
ha, "hw fotber waa mj tenant in DeTonaUn; iha la ooaaf It*
lorelieat girk I «r(r knew." ^

" Lovely indeed," uid Sir Obarlea with m imp lad inroliatav
d|^ "bvt it ia aomewhat eztraordinary to ma, tat tnataad tt
noticing yon as a friend or aoqnaintanoe, ahe ahonld look ilanwadaJ
a^tated, as if the liad seen an enemy."

"Uydear Bingley," ezcl^med BelgntTe, "anreljat tUa tbaa-flf
day, yon cannot 1m a stranger to the nnaoeonntaUe o^rinKlf Hw

Ilia visit, when a letter was brought him, whioti ooataiaed the fuUoir-
Ing iines:

'* II' Sir Charlea Biagloy baa the least regard for his liooonr oi
tronqnillitv, be will immediately relinquish his attentions rdaliva
to Uiss FitialaD; tbis caution comes from a gineere friend, from a
^rson whoae delicacy, not want of veradty, nrges to this secret
mode of giving it."

Sir Obarles perused and re-peruaed the later, as if doubting tbe
eTidttioe of Ilia eyes; he at last flung it from liim, and clasping bis
hands together, eicloimed, -'Tbia ia indeed a horrible explanation:"
ho took up tbo detested paper: again he examined tlie cbaraclera,
and recogniied the writing of Colonel Belgrade. He hastily snatched
lip bis liat, and witli the paper in bis hand, Bew directly to his house:
the u'lonel was alone.

" lielgrave," said Sir Oliarles, tn almost breathless agitation, "are
TOii tlii> antbor of this letter!" presenting it to him.

Iklgrnve took it, read it, but continued silent.

" Ob I Belgrava," exclaimed Sir Charles, in a voice trembling with
tgnnj-, " pity and relieTe my anspense."

'' I am the author of it," replied Belgrave, with solemnity, " Miss
FifTa^nn and I were once tenderly attached ; I trust I am no deliberate
iihertlne; but when a lovely aedncing girl was thrown purposely in

" Ob, stop," said Sir Cliarlas, "to me an extenuation of your
comluut is unnecessary ; 'tis sofBcient to know that Miss Fitzalon and
I trc forever separated." His emotions overpowered hii" ; ho leaned
oti a table, and covered hi« face with bis handkerchief.

"The shock I have received," said be, "almost unmans mo;
Amanda was — alas, I must say, is dear, inexpressibly dear to my soul:
I ihongiit her tlie most lovely, the most eatimaMe of women, and the
_ nuguish I now feel, b more on her account than my own ; I oaanot
bear the idea of the contempt which may bll upon her: Oh Belgrave,
'tis melancholy to behold a human being so endowed by nature as she
IS, inwn»ble or unworthy of her blessings. Amanda," be continued
after a pause, " never encouraged me, I therefore cannot accnso bar of
rniendiag deceit."

" Sue never encouraged yon," replied Belgrave, " because she wa»
Vubitioiu uf a higher ti'le ; Amanda beneath a apecions appearaiuw

of ionncenoe, iwDceBla a light ilisposilion and n deigning Itaui; ■
aspii'M to Hortiruor's haud, and ma; probflbly BDcoeeit, ^br ]
Lui^Bge axid attentiona to her last night, were tho«e of ^ tendw

"1 Biiall return immediately to Ireland," said Sir Charles, "■
endeaTour to torget I hod ever seen her ; she has made me in
experience all the fervoney of love and bitterness of diaaiijiointiiientl
what I f«lt for her, I tliiuk I tihall never ugain feel for aiiy wt)ii.na.1

To tam ftU beamy liito Itiougliti of harm,
Ajii oerer more ib^ It Jk (raclDUL

Sir Charlea Bingley, and Colonel Belgrave, in early life, 1
contracted a friendship for each otlier, n'bich time had strengtheoat:
in ODC, but reduced to a mere shadoiv in the other. On meeting t
colonel nneipectedly in town. Sir Charles had informed Lim of fa
fatentiooa relative to Amanda. DIb heart throbbed at the mention of
her name, he had long endeavoured to discover her; pride, love iind

ieDa«:
if faia

KodadouA, or infficienti; baae, as to meie Buch on assertion u
Uelgravo li«il d(iii« against Amanda, witliout truth I'ur its supijort.

'I'iui errors of lUs Irii^iid, tliougli the murw of uiitii>eakiLlilQ atigijah.
to tiim, were more pitied tlion condeiuned, oa he ratlier lieliov« ttioj
proceeded luore tram Uie imp«tuo^tjr of passioD than tlie ddib«ratioa
of deBiga, and that thaj w«re loiig riooe siuoorcly repent«d of.

Amanda oould not be forgutlen, tlie liold she had on liis heart
ooald not oo.'iit; be shal^ea off, and like Uie reoording sngel, h« was
often f r:j.i>ted to drop a lear over her IaiiIls, and obliterate tliem for
•rer (r.>i', hia meinorj' ; tliU, bowever, woa considiired the mere
■Egt>^''' '<' ol' v«akiies», and tie ordered luuuedisla preparatioiu to be
o vie tiir his rotoro to Ireland.

I

CHAPTER XXVIIi

Tlultcr. uid b&jtilj HU]« anj m

OtWAI.

Lobs IfonruixB, diatrest bf the indispoeilion of Ainanda, hastened,
at an earlier hour than asnal (for hia morning vieits) to rorUnaa
Uquarc, and noa oaliered into Lad; Eiiphrasia's droesiog room, vbera
eti« and Uiss Ualcolm, who had continued with her the preceding
night, were sitting t6te-^t6te at breakfast. His lordship was a wel-
come visitDr, bat it was soon obvions on whose accoant he had made
hia appearance, for acarcely were the uauul vouipliineats over, ere be
inqnired about Uiss Fitudon.

Lady Eapbrasia eoid, ahe was still onwell, and had not jet left her
apartment.

"She has not yet recovered tlie surprise of Inat night," exclaimed
a Ualoohn with a molicioiu smile.

^What surprise t" asked his lordsldp.

"Dear me," replied Miaa Ualcohn, "was not your lordship preacnl
< met Colonel Belgravet"

"No," uid Lord Mortimer, changing colour, " I was not proientj

la

ita CIlILIlRES or TKK ABBkr.

Bnt vhai has Colonel Iklgrttve to say to Miaa Fitzdan ?" uk«(] ImM
RD sgitoted voice.

" That is a i]ue8tioa your lordship most put !o the yonng Indy li
Belf," answered Miss Malcolm.

" Now I declare," cried Lndy Euphrasia, addressing her fiien^^
" tig very probable her illneM did not proceed from swing Culootf
Itelgrave; you know Ehe< never meationed being acqnaintcil witliliiMV
tlioogh her father was Ilia tenant in Dovonsliire."

Lord Mortimer grew more disturbed, and rose abruptly.

Lady Eaphraaia mentioned tlidr iutention of going tliat evening 1
the play, and invited him to be of the party : he accepted h?r u:v)fa

Ilia visible diatress waa a source of infinite mirth to tlie yonnf
ladies, which they iudnlged, the moment he quitted Uie room. Thtt
circumstance relative to Belgrave, the marchioness hail irJ'oi
thcin of; as she and Lady Greystock were near Atiiiuidn -.flion ah*

Lord Mortimer waa unhappy : tlie mind which has once lisrbonred

OltlLDRlS or T]ia ASBBT. SST

',£• Icncneil in hU opiuion ; her tendenieM, hor pnritj, )ie said to Mm-
•oif, cunlil nut bo ft;ign>.-d; no, sIjo was a treasure ^'cater tliaa ha
deseTT«i1 to i>usEe8» ; nor would be, like a wajwurd auu of error, fling
■jiTiif the ImppineKS he bud ao long desired to obtain.

The calm ilila resolutiiio produced wm but transient; doubta hsu.
been ruiLcd, aud duubu cnuld not be baniabed; be was inclined to
it!iink tlifiJi Dtijuat, jet had not power to dispel iJiem. Ytuiilj li(t
qiptied to tbo ideoit wbich had heretofore been each conaolntory
recoiiruea of comfort to bim. nnitiely, that his father wonld consent

• to lu9 union with Amanda, through the interference of lii» aunt, and
»Ae folidty he should ei^oy in that union : an □nnsual lieavinesn clung

19 heart, which like a gloomy sky, cost a shade of Badness over
, sverj prospect. Thonghtful and penitive be reached home, just as Kr
Charles Bingley was entering the door, who informed him Jje had
Jnst received a note fi'oni Lord Cherhury, desiring his immediate
presence.

Lord Mortimer attended him to the earl, who acquainted hira that
I he had received a letter from Mr. FitKnliuj. in which he expressed a
m sen^e of the honour Sir Charles did his family, by addressing
JCiss Filzalan : and tliat to have lier united to a cliaracter so trnly
' ntimable wonld give him the truest bftppiness, from a conviution
,t hers wonld bo secured by such an union. "He has written to
Ilia dnnghter, ei)>ressing his sentiments," continned Lord Cherbory :
■**I have tlierefore no doubt, Sir Obarlos, hut what every thing will
'•noceed to yonr wish."

" I am sorry, my lord," cried Sir Charles, with an agitated voice,
d a cheek flushed with emotion, '* thai I ever troubled yonr lord-
> ihlp in lliis affliir, as I have now, and forever, relinquiahod all ideas
a union with Miss Fitzalan."

"The resolution is really somewhat eitraordinary and snddcn,''
replied the earl, " sTler the conversation whiob so lately pasMd

* between ue."

"Adopted, however, my lord, from a thorongh conviction that
luppinea^ eoulii never bo attnined in a union with that yonng litdy."
' £ir Charles's tenderness for Amanda was still undiminished : he
' -Wished to preserve her IVom censure, and thus proceeded:

" Your lordship must allow that I conld have little chance of bap-
< jtlneas in alljinff myself lo a womaJi who has resolutely and nid&eaiL^

8«B CHlLUlll S u» I hi; A 1. L K F,

treated me witli IndiSk^ncef passion Uin<1i.i1 mj tvtsan, wlien I
lildreitsed jonr lurObliip tvUtire tu Uiss FlEEnla:!, tint its mints tro
cow ilU[>orscil, luid Bober rtflectioa obliges me 1<> rfliii<)ni<ih a BCheiiM,
wlinse Rccaiii|>l!tiliinent cuuld nut possibly give nie satia&utioii."

" You are oertoiuly the best judge of four own actioiu. Sir Cbarle^'*
jrepUed the earl ; "my aotiog in tJie offitir pniceeded rrom s wish to
■orre you, as well aa from lu; friendship to Captaiu Fitzulan : I most
anppose your condnot will never disparage your own honour, or cast
n slight upoD Misa Fitzalan,"

"Tbnt, my lord, you may bt assured oV Baid Sir diaries, Trith
riome warmth, "luy actions and their motives hare hitlicrto, and will
ever, I trust, bear tLe strictest investigation. I cannot retire ^"iHiont
tbaoklng your lordsLip fur the interest you took in my favour ; had
things succeeded aa I then hoped and exiiected, I cannot deny but I
abould have been miicti Itappicr than 1 am at present." He then
bowed and retired.

Lord Mortimer had listened with astonishment to Sir Charlea'a
lelinqDisbment of Amanda: like his father, he thought it B auddNi
tnd extraordinary rettolution : he was before jealous of Amanda's
love — he was now jealous of her honour. The agitation of Sir
Charles aeeraed to imply even a cause mora powerful than her cold-
ness, for resigning her; he recollected that the baronet and the col-
onel were intimate friends: distracted by apjirehensions, he rushed
out of the house, and overtook Sir Charles ere he had quitted the
square.

"Why, Bingley," cried he, with affected gaiety, "I thought yon
too TnlioHt a knight to be easily overcome by despair ; and that with-
out first trying every effort to win her favour, yon never would
give op a fair lady you had set your heart on."

" I leave such efforts for jour lordship," replied Sir Charles, " or
ttioee who have equal patience."

"But aeriously, Bingley, I think this sudden resignation of Hisa
Fitzalan somewhat strange : why, last night 1 could have awom yon
were as much attached to her as ever. From Lord Cberbury's friend-
ahip for Captwn Fitialan, I think her in some degree under his
protection and mine ; and as the particularity of jour attentiona
attracted observation, I think your abruptly withdrawing lh«n
requires explanation."

OHILDKBN OF I UK AUDEY. 269

As Loni Cherbnrj irai th« pcrsun I a|)|i1i«<I to, relative to UiH
fhzalui," exclaimed Sir Charles, " and as tie uas saliafied with tJie
0 I ii::fiigued for my conduct, be assured, my lord, 1 shall never
■0v« another U> jou."

' Toiir words," retorted Lord Mortimer, iriih wanatb, " imply

A there nu anotlier motive for jaxit condact, than the one yon

jBToweil : what hnrrid inference may not be drawn from aaoh an

Iniiauation f Oh, BJr Charles, repuiaiiun ia a fra^le Sciwer, whioli

Pw sliKlitest breath may injore."

My lord, if Miss FituJan's reputation is never injured but by my
as, it will eTvr continue imsuUied."

I cannot, indeed," resumed Lord Mortimer, "style myaelf her
(gBBTdicn, but I consider myself her friend ; and from the feelings of
Alonddhip, shall ever evince my interest fn her welfare and resent
Miiiilaot which can possibly render ber an object of censure to
fuy bdnK."

" A!!<iw TOO to aak your lordship one question," cried Sir Charles,
Uid froini^ie, on yonr honour, to answer it."
a "I ill) priimise," siud Lord Mortimer.

" Then, my lurd, did yon ever really wish I should sooceed with
JDuFitadanl"

Lord Uorlitiiur coloured, " Ton expect, Bir Charles, I eliall answer
■you on my ]i«noDr t Then really 1 never did."

" Your passions and mine," continued Sir Charles, " are impetnona ;
fn had better ohcclt them in time, lest tliey lead us to lengths we
■nay lierentter repent of. Of Miss Fitzalan's fame, be assured no mai,
-Muld bd more tenacions than I shonld : I love her with tlie truest
.■rduur ■ — her su«eptance of my proposals would have given me
jUicity : — my suddenly withdrawing them, can never liyure her,
when I decUre my motive for so doing, was her indifference. Lord
pberbury is salisiied with the reason 1 have assigned for resigning
ber; he is conijciona tLat no man of sensibility could eipurience
Jhsppinojs with a woman, in whose heart he knew he had nn interest;
, 1 soppofv, your lordUiip will allow."
C rlalnly," replied Lord Mortimer.

Then it strikes me, my lord, that it is your conduct, not mine
^rt>ich lias a tendency to iignre Miss Fitzalan : tliat it is your words,
nifia, whirh convey an insinualinu agiuusl her: you rekU)

274

Indeed 1 i«nDOt blame hor so lauch for entertaiuJng aspiring nottoi^'
U Uiri&e will) in^Iillcd then latii li«r mmd.

Lord Cherbnry atartw], oiid reqnested an explanation of ber yrotia.

" Why I declure, my lord," cried she, " I do nept know liot that it
wiU bo more friendly to eiplain tiifto conceal my mcntiing; vliat
once informed of the yunug l&dy'a vievn, your lordsliip uiay hi able
to convince her of her fallacy, and prevail on ber not to lose onoUiw
good ujiportnnity of settliag herself in oonseqnence of tlieia ; in aliorti
uiy lord. Miss Fitzalan, prompted by her father, has uu>t her eyes on
t^rd Mortimer; pre«aiuing on yoar friendahip, he tliought anniun
between them might easily be accomplislied. I do not Wlieve Lord
Uortimer at tnt gave any encnaragcmcnt to their designs ; bnt whcu
the girl was thrown continaally in his way, it was im-Missible not to
notice her at Lost. I really expressed a lliorougli dlEop robalion to
lier coming to London, knowing their motivoa for dislring (he bscot-
BioD, bat her father never ceased persecating me, till I consented to
take her under my protection."

"C|>on my word," cried the mnriiiiiii, who was not of the ladies'

^r OHILDREN OF THS ABDET. STS

Hv Tlie litdies irere enniptared at the success of their Eclieme. TIiq

B pitssioa of Lord Cberburjp could acaroelj' be stnothered in Ibeir

pTCMDoe. On tlie liead of Fitzaian lliey knew it would burst with

full Tiiilonce. Tliej did not mention Belgrave; relative to him Ihej

re^iiilved to ■Iftict profound ignorance.

The pusioDs of Lord Cherbury were impetuoa)i. lis had, as 1
have olreud; hinted, secret tsotirea fur deoiring n connection between
bis fttinilj aad the marquis's; and the idea of that deaire being
defeated drove him almost to dietraction. He knew hin aon's pa>-
sioan, though nut bo easily irritated as his own, were, when once irri-
tated, equally violent. To renonfttratit with him concerning Miss
Fitiolan, he believed, would be unavailing; he therefore resolved, if
possible, (o have her removed out of his way, ere he apprised him of
the discovery he had made of bis attachment. lie entertained not a
doabt of Lady Oreyitock's veracity ; frt)m his general knowledge of
■nnnkind, he believed self the predominant consideration in everj
breast. His feelings were too violent not to seek an immediate vent,
aad ere he went to bed, he wrote a bitter and reproachful letter to
Fitialan, which oonoluded with an entreaty, or rather a command, t»
send without delay for bis daughter. A dreadful stroke this for
poor Fitialan.

h« hoped he had at lu«t found a spot, where hia latter days might
olote in iranqaillitj.

The innocent Amanda wiis received tlie noit morning with smiles,
by tluwe who were prc[>arin(* a plot lor her destruction.

WLiUt at breakHsBt, a servant informed Lady Greystock a yoong
woman wanted to ep«ak la her.
"Who is iihe?" asked her ladyship; "did ahe not send up ber

"No, my lady, but she said ahe had particslar bnsiness with your
Udy»lii|)."

The marcliiimeas directed she might be shown np, and a gir! abont
MTunt«eu wus aocorjingiy ushered into the room. Her ligare ww
<Mcate, and her face intereeUng, not only from its innocence, but th*
ptMtiK expression of tj^elancboly di(l\ised over it. She appemd

f 74 OUILDKKli OF rai jtDKir

tumbling irith confiuion and timidilj, and the poTertj of bw
apparel implied the sonvce of hor d^jeclJun.

"So, child," sAid Lady Grcystock, &f1«r giirreyiug Ler froin bwd
to f»ot, " I am told you tiftve bneinew with loe."

" Veil, lUDdAm," replied she, ia an accent su low as ecnroely to be
beard ; " my father, CH|itaiii Buahbrouk, desired me to deliver a leHar
to your ladyship."

She presoDted it, and eadeavoiired to screen herself from the tern-
UiLiiiu;; ^Qil con tern ptuoite glances of Idtdy Euphrasia b; paUiag bsr
bat uver her face.

'■ I wonder, child," aaid Ladj Grcystock, as she opeoed the letter,
" what yuur father can write to me about. I don't luppoM it cMi bs
about the affair he mentioned the other day. — Why, realty." contin-
ued she, after she hod perused it, " I believe he (&keg me for a fool |
I am astonished, after his insolent conduct, bow he can possibly txKva
the assurance to make application to me for relief; no, DO, child, ba
neglected the opportunity he bad of securing me nshia friend ; it woald
really be a sin to give him the power of bringinj; up his family in
idleness ; no, no, child, be must Icam you, and the other little dain^

CBILDIIS !(

277

•■ "Ton mnat not encourage inch deapodding thoughts," Biud
" Provideni'e, all bouateons, and all powerl'ul, is al^is in ■
ttort lime to change the gloomiest scene into one of briglitnesa. Tell
'toe,'' she oontioaed, after a paose, " where do you raaidel"
At Eensiiifrton."

Kensington," repeated Amanda, "stirely in your present titn^
Hon, you are anable U> take mch a walk."

C Bttonipt it, howeTer," replied Miss Bushbrook.

4 Amanda walked from her to the window, revolving a scheme

Wliicb liftd just darted into her miod ; " If you know any house,"

id she, " where you could stay for a bhort time, I would call on yon

Sb a carriage and leave yon at home."

This Oder was truly pleasing to the poor, weak, trembling girl, but
M modestly declined it, from the fear of giving trouble. Amanda
lught lier not to waste time in anoL nnnecessary Bcruples, but to

fve lier the desired information.
Bbe accordingly informed her there was a haherdasher'a in Bond-
ib«ct, mentioning the name, where the could stay till called for.
This point settled, Amanda, fearful of being surprised, conducted
IT softly to the hall-door, and immediately returned to the drawing-
here she found Lady Euphrasia juat begining to reud Huah'
<Ook's letter, tor her mother's amosement.

Ila style evidently denoted tlie painfid conflicts there were between
pride and distress, ere the former could be suSicicntly subdued to
allow OD application for relief tc the person who had occasioned the
latter ; tlie sight of a lender and beloved wife languishing in the anna
of sickness, surronnded by a family under the pressure of the severest
want, had forced him to a Bt«p which, on liia own account, no neces-
sity could have compelled him to take. Ue and his family, be sud,
had drank the cup of misery to the very drcgi : ho waved the elaima
(if justice, he only asserted tlioso of humanity, in his present applica-
tion to her Udyahip ; and these he Dattered himself she would allow ;
be had sent a young petitioner in hia behalf; whose tearful eyes,
^Ithose faded cheek, were sad evidences of the misery he described.
' The raaruhioness declared she wa.'s astonished at his insolence in
king such an application, and Lady Euphrana protested it was the
it ridicnlona stuff she hod ever read.
' Amanda, in this, as well as many otiier instances, differed Irom hor

CUILDHKH or t t

ladj«hip ; but her opinion, like a littls project abe had in Tiew abdot 1
Uke Rushbrooks, was corefullj concealed.

Out of the allowance ber father made her for clothes, and oths |
expenses, about tea guineas remiuniid, which she had intended kfinf
out in the purcljsse of some ornaments for her appearance at a ball to
be given in the course of the enining week, by the docbess of

B , and for wliich at the time of iuTitation, Lord Mortimer had

engaged her for bispartoer: to give op (piing to this ball, to ooiu»-
a charity the money deroted to vanity, was her project; and
it fortunate did slie deem the application of Roshbrook, eta her
purchase was made, and she consequently prevented froi|) giving htt
initn. Ilur soul revolted from the inhntnanity of the mnrobionees, bar
daughter and Lady Greystock. Exempt from the calamities of want
themselves, they forgot the pity due to those calamities in others. If
this coldness, this obduracy, she cried within herself, is the eSeiit of
jn-osperity : if thus it closes the avenues of benevolenoe and comps.**
sion, obt never may the dungerons visitor approach me, for iUshouM
I tliink the glow of oompassioD, and sensibility exchanged for all its
gaudy pleasures.

The ladies had mentioned their intention of going to an aoctioo,
where, to n^ Lady Euphrasia'! phrase, " tbey expected to see all tbo
world." Amanda excusedberself from being of the party, saying, ahs
wanted to tnake somfa porohaaes in the city. Her excuse was r«adity
admitted, aud when tbey retired to their re^iiective toilets, she leuL
for B carriage, and being prepared against it came, immediately stop^
into it, mid was driven to Bond street, where «Iie found Miss Boah-
brook with trembling anxiety waiting ber arrival.

In their way to Kensington, the tenderness of Amanil.') at onco
conciliated the affection, and gained the entire confidence of ht>r
yonog conipaniou. She related the little history of her parcnt'j
sorrows. Uer father on returning from America, with bis wife and
■ii children, had been advised by Ur. Heatbfield, tlie tHend who hod
effected a reconcihation between hltn and his tuicle, lo commence a
sail againat Lady Greystock, on the presumption that the will, by
which she enjoyed Sir Qeoflty's fortune, was illegally executed. H«
offered biTii bis pnrse to carry on the suit, and Ilia house for a habita-
tion. Buabrook gratefully and gladly accepted both offers, and having
diapoaed of hi* coiimiisaion. to diMhnrge some present detr*iids

C U ! L t! 1! E .V O > 1 II S A n B E » . 27«

i^ainnl him, he nnd lii>< fnmilir touk up their resilience undbr Mr.
13 efill I fluid's hiispitftblo roof. In tb a midst of the felicity enjoyed
^en«ni)i <t; in the inid«t of the hopes of their ovn Enngniiie teiu|>era,
and the lluttxring aaggeetioCH tlie lawyers had eiuited, A violent fever
CArriud oH* tlieir heuevoleut friend ere the will was eiecuted, la which
jte bad proiiused Urgel; to consider Btishbrook. Bib heir, niuTow
and illiberel, tiitd long fenred that bis interiHt would be hnrt by
tho afiectioD lie eDtertained for Rnshbrook ; and aa if in revenga
for the pain this fear bad gii'eti, the momciit he had power lo show
Ilia maliguant di^positioD, sold all the famitore of the house at Ken-
yington, and, 49 a great fuvoor, told Rn^hhrook he niight contiuQe in
it till the expiratiDH of the half rear, when it was to t>e given up to
the iatidiord. Tbc In'wj-ers understanding the state of hia finances,
toon informed Idm lio could no longer expect their asHi.itanoe. Thus,
citnost iji one nioment, did uil ids pleiusing prospects vanisb, and,

Llks UiB bHalHl f»bria of > tIiIdd, }ttt sol • wncll brhlnd.

Wc Ab a duty he owed his family, ha tried whether Lady Greystock
^%0ti1d make a compromise between justice and aTarico, and afford
bim some means of support. Her in»olence and inhumanity shocked
him til the aonl ; and as he left her presence, he reNDlvcd never tu
enter It ngaio. or apply to her: this last resolution, however, only
cDutinuod till the distrcHs of bis family grew so great as to threaten
their eiistonce, particularly that of bis wife, who, overpowared by
grief, had Bunk into n languiahing illness, which every day increased
for want of proper ussistanoo.

In hopes of procuring her some, he was templed again to apply to
Lady Oreystock. The youth and innocence of his daughter would,
be thought, if anything could do it, soften her flinty heart ; l>esideB, he
believed that pleasure, at finding his pretensions to the fortune entirely
withdrawn, would influence her to administer from it to his wants,

"We have," said Miss Rushbrook, as she concluded her simple oar-
ration, " tried, and been disappointed in our last resource : what will
bacomc of us I know not ; we have long been strangers to the com-
furte. but even the necessaries of life i[e cannot now procure."

" Comfort," cried Amanda, " often arrives when least expected : to
I duEpair ih to doubt tlie goodness of a Being who has promised to pru-
It all bis creatures."
' The carriaf:e had now reached KcDBln^on. and withiu «i C«« i^^xi^a

\

sen ClIlLllllBN QT JItK 4BHKT

of Rnshbrook's liabitalion, Amanda slept it ; she twV Misa RiKb-
brook's baud, and oa she slipt a ten pound tiole inUt ft, oiJ(uue«l. ^I
trnst tbe period is not Jar distaiit, wlien the friendsliip wo h\K
ouDceived for each other, ma; be cultivated under ni'iii. fuflu- '.U

Miss RaeLbrook opened the folded pnper; she started nnd "th«
hectic of a moment flai-hed her cheek." "Oh t loaOiuu," ihe cr>«d,
" yonr goodness — " tears impeded her further utteranc*.

"Do not distress me," said Amanda, agnin taking her hxai, "by
mentioning such a trifle; was mj ahility equal to nij incliD^tioD, I
should blush to offer it to yonr acceptance: an It i)^ consider it but ■>
the foretaste of the bounty which heaven has, I doubt not, in ^tore fcrf

She then desired the door to be opened, and told her compaoitHt
abe would no longer detain her. Hisa Eushbrtiok nfibctionotelj Ussed
ber hand and eickimed, " You look like an a.igel, imd your goodocM
is correspondent to your loots, I will not, madnm, ruftise jour bounty;
I accept it with gratitude, for tliose dearer to mo tlinn myself: bat
ah I may I not indulge a hope of seeing you again ? yo<' nro so kind.
BO gentle, madam, that every care ia lullt->'. into forgeifiti^Aw whiLt
conversing with you." " I shall certainly see you ag>t><i r> coon ■■
possible," replied Amanda.

Uisa Rnshbrook then quitted tbe cAnitu'e, witich Aiiuo:(!h ordered
oaok to town, and bid tbe ooAchnau drive aa fast as piissiUe. Thef
had not proceeded far, when the traces anddcnly gave way ; UiA U>t
man was obliged to dismount, and procuru assistaoce fiom a pnblia
house on the road, in repairing tlieut. Thi.i occasioned a delsy,
which greatly distressed Amanda; tJio wished greatly to get boma
before the ladies, lest, if this was not tbe case, her long abaeaoa
should mate I*dy Grcystoct, who was remarkahlj inqnisitiT^
inquire the reason of it; and to tell her she hod a strong objection,
convinced as slie was, that her ladyship's knoiving she relieved
uhjerta so ciiremely disagreeable to lier would occasion a quarrel
Vietween tJiem, which would either render a long ree(d..nce together
imp<issible, or highly disagreeable ; and to leave Ixindoc at tlio pre^
ent crisis, when everything relative to Loid M<irtiraer was drawing
to a conclusion, was not to be thought of wilhont l)i? grcaleft jiEln.

At length tbe coachman remounted his boT, er.d the vclndty wltt
ivhioh lie drove fluttered ber with the hnpe nf reric>i!iig h"Wi •!• lUufl

aa flhe wiih»l, Traoinillized by this hope, she again indulfted hei
iriiaginBtiuQ nitb ideas of the comfort her little bouatj hrid probably
given RnslibrooW anil his deJMted family; so sweet to lier#)til waa
the necret approbation which crowned her charity, so preferable tu
any pleasure she could have experienced at a ball, that even tha dis-
appointment *h« bolievod Lord Mortimer wonld feel from her declin-
ing it, vaa overliHikud in the Batisfaction she felt from the action aha
performed. She wm coiivinced he wonld inquire her reason for not
going, which slie determined at preaont to conceal ; it wonld appear
like ostentation, she ilionght, to say that the money requisite for her
appearing at t1i« ball was expended in charity, and iierhaps eicil« hia
generosity, in a maimer which delicacy at present forbid her
allowing.

She asked the footinon who handed her from the carriage whether
the ladies were returned ; and, on being answered in the afSrmatdv«,
Inquired the liuur, and learned it woajnst dinner time. Flnrried by
this intelligeoco, alie hastened to her ohamher, followed by the maid
uppolnt«d to attend her, wlio said Lady Greystock had inquired for
hur as aoon as she come home. Amandu dressed herself with nnnsoal
expedition, and rciuured to the drawing-room, where, in addition to
the family party, she found Loi'd Mortimer, Freelove, Misa Malcolm,
and some other lailiea and gentlemen, assembled.

" Bless me, diild," said Lady Greystock, the niomoot she entered the
room, " wlierc have you been the whole day 1"

"I deolore, Misa Fitialan," exclaimed l«dy Euphrasia, "I believe
yon stole a march somewhere upon as this morning."

"'Weil," cried Mi&s Malcolm, laughing, "your ladyship must know
that people gcncrnl^ have some important reason for stolen marchei,
which they do not clmose to divulge."

Amanda treated this malicious insinuation with the silent oontempl
it merited : and on Lady Greystock's again asking lier where she bad
been, said in a low, hesitating voice, " In the city."

"In the city?" repeated Lord Mortimer.

Tbia sudden exclamation startled her; she leoked at him. and per-
ceived bim rogardini; her with the most Bcrutinizirg eagerness. She
lilu«he<l deeply, as if detected in a falsehood, and immediately bent
bcr eyes to the ground.
"TTbe oonveraatinn now changed, but it was some time ere Amanda'a
pftinnn iubaided.

Lord Murt m d d h d Tor bin oiclamation eLe liHle

tliuught (jf.ii llhdtntbni U iie»s and her ooiupBitiaiu, \if
■[ipointment t th L t (w, grew weary of his aiuistion,

which (he p f Am d Id lona have rendered tolerRUfu I

IIo pleaded 1) as ra f withdrawiDg, and hurraing J

home, ordered hia phstoD, and proceeded tuwardH KensingUin. A* |
he passed the carriage in which Ainanda sat, nt Uie time the trkcw
■acre luending, be carelcsalj looked into it, nod directly recogniECd
her. Larly Euphraaia hnd informed him libe excused herBoIf from
their party un account uf eonie Iiuainens in the city. He never beard
of her having any acquaJnuinceB in or about Kensington, and waa at
onci alarmed and eurprised by discovering her. He drove to aOBM '
distunoe from the carriage, and as soon as il began to move puraued '
it with equal velocity till it reached town, and then giving; his phi^
ton ia charge of the servant, followed it un foot till he saw Am&ad^ I
alight from it at the Marquis uf Rosline's. Amanda had escaped I
ieeing hie lordship, by a profound meditation in which she wu |
engaged at the moment, as she pensively leaned against the aide of
the cnrringe. Lord Mortimer walked back with increased disorder ta
ipniached it he saw Colnnel Bel)

Ltdj Oreystock and Lad; Eof hrasia dwelt vrith wonder on the
length of Aniandn's morniDg oxenrsion. When she entered Che room,
he tliought she appeared embarrassed ; and that on Lady Grejstook'a
addressing her, this embarrassment increased; bat when she said she
Lad been in the cit;, her doplicitj, as he termed it, a|)|>eared to
monsti-ous to him, that lie conid not forbear an Jnvoliintar; repetition
of her words; Bo great indeed was the indignation it excited in bis
breast, tliat he coidd ecaroel; forbear reproaching lier ns the destroyer
of liis and her own felicity. Tier blush appesrod to him, not ths
ingcDQDUs colouring of inoocence, bat the glow of shame and guilt.
It was evident to him that she had seen Bcigraro that morning ; that
ho was tlie occasion of all tlie mystery which appeared in her
couihict, and that it was tlie knowledge of llie improper influence he
bad over lier heart, which made Sir Cliarlea Bingley so suddenly
resign her.

"Griicioiis heaven I" said he to himself, "who Ihat looked npon
AmoniLi, could ever suppose duplicity harboured in her breast; yet
that too surely it is, 1 have every reason to suppose ; yet ■ little
longer I will bear this tormenting suspense, nor reveal my duubtd, till
thoroughly convinced tliey are well founded.

no sat opposite to her at dinner, and his eyes were directed
towards her with that tender sadness wliicb we feel on viewing k
beloved object we know ourselves on the point of losing for

Hia melancholy was quickly perceived by the penetrating march-
ioness and Lady Enphraaia; they saw with delight tiiat the poison of
suspicion infused into his mind, was already beginning lu oiicrate ;
they anticipated the success of all their schemes ; their spirita grew
uncommonly elevated, and Lady Kuphra.'^iB determined, whenever
she hud the power, to revenge on the susceptible nature of Uortimer,
nil Ilie uneasiness he had made her suffer : and to add, as far as malic«
could add to it, to the misery about tu be the lot of Amanda.

The dejection of Lord Mortimer was also observed by Amanda; it
CTrited her fears and affected her Hensibility ; she dreaded that his
hunt had reCiised complying with his request relative to her interfe-
rence with hia father, or that the earl had been urging him to an
iininediaie union with Lady Euphrasia: [lerbaps he now wavered
nlnve and duty: the thought struck a cold damp upon he"

384 cuiLDRBN or THE miiBr.

heart— jet do, cried she, it oftanot be; If iuolioixl u ohuigo, Loti
Uurtimer would at once hare infunueJ me.

Id the evoniDg Ibere v«s a large sdiliLion to the part;, but Loft^
Uortimer bM pensivotj apart trom tbo oompan;. Amanda b; vIib)
procured a seat next hia. His paleness alarmed ber, and ahe oodl
uul Tiirbear hintiog her t'oars that be va» JU.

" I am ill indeed," said he heavily : — be looked at ber as he tpoM
and belield her regarding him with the most eiquiaite teuiicroMi
hut tbe period was past for reoeiring deli^^t from suoh an app^arani
of alFectioD ; an alftiotioD be bad reason U> believe was never moi
than feigned for bim; and a!»o from his eiuotiooB irhen witlitu
that he should never ceece regretting tbe deception;
eihaosted by thur own violeaoe, had anuk into a calm, and aaitiM
was tbe preduminaal feeling of his soul. Though he «
Iniuented, he could not at tlie moment have reproached hor portal
lie gazed on her with moomt^l tendernen, and to tbe lovoluotir^^
exprcgaioo of regret wbioh dropped from her, on hearing he waal
only replied, by saying, "Ah I Amanda, the man thai really «s«M
yunr tenderness must he happy."

CBiLi>HK> tir \ a r. abbkt. CS5

Lftdy Enphrasi* conld lali of uotbing elsu but the apprt^ohing enter-
Iniuinent, wljich she said was uipected to be the moat brilliant thiug
thai had been givea that niattr.

"I hope your Indjahip," said Amanda, who had not yet declared
her intention of staying at home, " v\]X be able to give a good
^eecriptioD of ii."

"Wh/, 1 unppose," pried Lady Euphrasia, "yon do not intend
going wiOioul being able to see and hear yonreelf."

" Certainly," replied Amanda, " I should not, bnt I do not intend
ecting."

■■ Not go to tho ball ti>-niglit !" eiclaimed Lady Enphrnsia.

"Uless me, c!ii;i!," said Lady Grej'stock, "wliat whim haa entered
your head to prevent yoor going !"

" Dear Ijidy Greystdck," said I^dy Euphrasia, in a tone of nmunal
good hnmonr, internnlly delighted at Amanda'* resolution, "don't
trazo Uiiis Jitzalun with questions."

And yon really do not go?" eiclaimed Lord Mortimer iu an
int eipressiro of auqirise aud disappoiutment."
I really do not, my lord."

"I dudarci," said the mnrcliione^is, even more delighted than her
daughter nt Amanda's resolution, as it fayonred a scheme she had
long boon projecting, "I with Euphrasia was as inditftrent about
amusement as Miss Fitzalan : here she liaa been complaining of indis*
position the wliole morning, yet 1 cannot preTail on her to give np
the ball."

Lady Euphrasia. w!jo never felt in better health and spirits, would
have coDtmilloted llio ninrcl lioness, had not an expressive glance
assured her there was an important motive for this assertion.

"May wecothope, IDsfl Fitzolun," said Lord Mortimer, "that a
resolution bo suddenly adopted as youra, may he as suddenly
changed )"

" Nu, indeed, my lord, nor is it so suddenly formed aa you seem to
suppose."

Liird Mortimer shuddered, as he endeavored to account for it in
hi* own mind ; bis agony became almost insupportable : he arose nnd
walked to the window where she sat,

Amanda," said he in a low voioa, " I fear you forgot your engage-

Amanda, sappostog this ulliidud to her engagement fur the U^^
replied, "she had ni>t forgotten it."

''For your inability, or disiuclioalion to fal51 it then," said lia, I
" will jou not account I"

"Most willingly, my lord."

"WhiMi!" asked Lord Mortimer, iinpationtly, for niuiMe longer to
support Lis torturing suspense, lie determined, contrary Ut hla flnt
intention, to come to an imiuediate eiplanatii n relative to Belgrava.

" To-morrow, my lord," replied Amanda, " ehice yon desire it, I
will account fur not keeping my engagement, nnd 1 trust," a mudeit
blush inoutliug her cheela us she spolie, " that your lordship will mil J
disapprove of my reasons for declining it,"

The peculiar earnestness of his words, T^rd Mortimer imis^ne^
had conveyed tlieir real meaning to Amanda.

" Till to-morrow, Uieo," sighed be heavily, "1 must heex my lUl
quietude."

His regret, Amanda supposed, proceeded from (lisn]i]ii>liiimi;!it ■
not having her company at the ball; slie was ti.itt'-'rcd by it, u^
pleased at the idea of telling him her real motive for ii'it going;

CHILL.KBS ur IHfc ABBKr. BS?

M1U7 when a sndilec noise maile her hastily ttirn her head, anil with
eqiiul Lurror and surprise, Hhe bebeld Colonel B'Aff^va coiuiu);
brword. 8be atart«d op, and was springing to the door, when rusli*
ing between hor and it he caught her in hia arma, and forcing her
back to the sofa, rudely stopped licr month.

" Neither cries nor struggles, Amanda," said h«, ' will he availing ;
withoQt tlie assistance of a friend, yon may he oonvinced, 1 could not
Lave entered this bonse ; and the some friend will, you may de]>end
on it, take care that onr t^[e-il-tete, is not intemipled."

Amanda shuddered at the idea of treachery, and being convinced,
fKini nhiit be said, ebe could not eipect assistance, endeavoured to
recover Ler fainting B])irit8, and exert all her resolution.

" Your BcNeme, Colonel Belgrave," said she, " is equally vile and
fiiUle; tliongh treachery may have brought you hitber, you tnust be
oonvinfod, that u1.1I. r the Marqois of Roeline's roof, who by relation-
ship a» well as hospitality, is hound to protect me, yon dare nnt,
with iiiipiiuily, o<T>ir me any insult. The caarquia will be at borne
itu mediate'; ; if therefore you wish to preserve the sembhmce of
honour, retire withoat further delay."

"Not to retire so ea.«!y," exclaimed Belgrave, "did 1 take soch
pains, or watch so anxiously for this interview. Fear not any insidt;
lull till I bftve revealed the purpose of my soul, I will not be forced
Truin you; icy love, or ratlier adoration, has known no abatement
Ly yonr Ion;; concealment; and now that chance has so happily
Ihrqjrn you it. my way, I will not neglect using an opportunity it
may offer."

"Graciooa heavensl" si^d Amanda, while her eyes flashed with
indignation, "bow can you have the effrontery Iji avuwyour innolcnt
fntoiitions; intentions which, long since, you must have known would
e«'?r pn)ve abortive I"

"And why, my Amanda," said he, again attempting to strain hiT
to his hreai>b, while she ahronk from his grasp, "why shoold tliey
prove aoorfcTut why should you be obstinate in refusing wealth,
tiappinera, the lincere, the ardent afiections of a man, who in pro-
moting your felicity, would conatilute hia own t My life, my fortune,
vroul'l beat your command; my elemal gratitude would be yoora for
«ny trl&ng sacrifice the world might think yon made me; heeitate
•jj loQitar about rju'sing yourwlf to sfflnenw. which, t

■pint like yonrs, must be so peooliArlj pleabing: Ilesitats not ta
luleijeiidence to your Iktiier, promotiuo to your LirutLer; and
he assured it the connection I funned ie an ill-l'al«d bonr, deceived
by ft sp«ciuu!i iL|>eariLnce uf pertectioo, elioold ever be di^Hilvei), mj
hunrl, like my Lcart, sliali be yours."

"MoQStfirl" exy'.uimed Amanda, beholding him wiUi borror, "yonr
biuid, WHS it at yonr disposal, like yoiir ulLier offers, I ahoiild (porB
with contempt; cease to torment nie," slio contiunml, "leat, in luj
nirn defence, 1 call upon those wlko have power, ae well as inclinv
don, to cha^lise yonr iowleoce. Let this consideration, joined to the
certainty that your pursuit muat ever prove unavailing, iiiflueuoa
yonr fotnre actions : for be assured that you are in every respect, U
object of abhorrence to mj soul."

As ihe spoke, exerting all ber strength, site burst from bjm and
attempted to gain the door. He flung himsdf between tier and il^
his tiLce inflsmed with passion, and darting the m»!it uialigDatit
giauces at ber.

Terrified by his looks Amanda tried to avoid hitit, and when Ii«
caoght her again in his sj-ms, she Bcreamed aloud: — no oat
appeared: — ber terror increased,

"Oh Belgravel" cried she, treinbUng, "if you have one priadplc
of honour, one feeling of humanity remaining, retire: I will pardoB
and ooncea] what ia past, if you comply with my refjuest,"

"I distress yon, Amanda," said he, assuming a softened accent^
"and it wounds me to the soul to do bo, though you, cruel and inex-
orable, care not what pain you occasion me; hear me cnlmly, and b«
assured, I shall attempt no action which can offend you."

Be led her again to the so&, and tbns contiuoed.

" Uisled by false viewe, you shun and deteat the only man who hai
faiul suffieient eiuLerity to declare openly hiii intentions ; ineiperienoa
and orednlity have already made you a dope to artifice. Yon imagined
Sir Charles Bitigley was a fervent admirer of yonra, when be assured,
in following you, he only obeyed the dictaUa of an egregious vanity,
which flattered him with the hope of gdning your regard, attd being
distinguished by it ; nothing was farther from his thoughts, aa b«
himself confessed to me, than seriously paying his addressee to yon,
and had yon appeared williog, at laat, to accept them, be assured h"
would soon hare contrived some scheme to disengage himself froiB

s uf I>urd Uurlitiicr Drc jironipled bj ■ inQtWe
much more dangerous lliiui UiaC which instigated Sir Clinrkn ; lie
reallf admireB jon, and would have yon UelicTe hia riewa nro
hoQuursUe ; bnt, beware of his duplicity, ho seeks to toko julvaiilage
of the tiH) i^reat cuofideiK^e jon repose in hiin : his ptirjiusc unco
uccomplialirU, lie would t^c^rifice jrou bi Lady Euplirosia: auO I kiiuw
enough of her malevolent dis pool tion to be convimx-J hIio wouUleiijuj
her lriuiu|)li over eo luvely a vii'iiiti. All! my dear Amanda, evc-ti
beauty and elegance, like youra, would iiui, od tlie generality of iiiaii-
Idud, have power to make Ihem lurego the odTantogei annexed to
wealth; on Ltird Uurliraor, particularly, they would fail of tliat
effect: hia ambitiou tutd avarice arecqual to hiafatber'a; and though
his heart and soul, I am oonfident, revolt from the person and mind
of Lady Eophrasia, be will niiile himself to her, for the sake of pw-
ttessing her furtane, and tliua increasing his own power of prouD-
riiig the gratili cations he delights in. — As luy fiituaCion is luiown, I
cannot he accused of deception, and whatever 1 pronii^o will ho
strictly IMfiUod: deliberate therefore no longer, my Amanda, on the
course yon ftball pnrsoe."
" No," cried sbt, ' 1 eiiall indewl no longer deUberate about it."
As she spoke, si.e iituni.-4l trom her seat. — Belgrave again siezed her
hand. At this moment a knocliisg was heard at the hall door,
which echoed through the bouse. Amanda trembled, and Uelgrave
paused in a speech be had begno. She Bupposed the marquis bad
retorned: it was improbable he woold come into that room; and
(ircn if be di<], from his ilistnialfiil and malignant temper slie knew
not whetlier she would have reason to rejoice or regret his presuuCM^.
But how great was her confu=ii)n, when instead of Ids voice,
kIic heard thoae of the iiiarubioness And Jier party. In a moment
the dreadful con30i|uencit3 whidi might enaite from her present
situation, rushed ujHjn btr mind.— Ity the forced attentions of
the marchioness and Lady Euplirasia, she was not long deceived, and
Itad reason to beheve, from tlie inTettrnte dhJike they bore her, timt
they would rejoice at an opijortonity like tlie present for tradu-
cing her fonie; and with horror she saw that appearances even in the
''yes of candour, would he against her. She had positively and unci-
inctedly refuied going to the ball: she had ezprest delight ai the
ilka of stnyiug at home. Ahis I woold not all these oircumstoticn b»

21MJ c u 1 L u B E s or r n 1- ,i ii b K t .

dwelt ill.'..li; Wl.nt iilfii- '.il-lit ll,.-y m>w .-(i ii... il l/.r.i Mortiuwr,
■who alroadj- sliowed a tendency to jealouay t

IlfLlf ^Tilll at the idea, ebe clasped ber handa together, and sid^^
ed iua v>iicc tremliliDg with angniah, " Meniifiil hMTMi I sn nlMi

" No, no," cried Delgrave, flinging hitnwif at her ttdt, "pnAoo
inc, Amarid.t, and 1 never more will molest yua; I Ms 7007 |iiliBi1[iw
areiavir.cible: [admire, I revere yoar pnriQ', and nerar Duvt wJD I
attempt to injure it ; 1 was on the point of ^*fl'iT*''g ao, irtMD ttt
cnned knock came to the door ; oompose TDimdf , and oonridir^ThA
can be done in the present emergency; 70V irUl be rained If I wm
seen with yon; the malidoDS devjta yon five irith, wonld lOT*
believe OQT united aaBeverationa of yonr inoooenoe : eonoed nw Umw-
fore, if possilile, till the family are settled : the penon who let nw ti^
will then Becure my retreat, and I swear solemnly never man to
trouble you."

AinaTxIa liGsJtated between the cunfldenoe tier inBOoeitae inqifaied^
and lltc drrnd of the unpleasant conatmctioD malioemi^tptit«aber

I

When I rfturoed Louie ulmtiC lui hoar ago, I seut to rcqacat her
Mmpuij ia tbe parlour, which bonour, 1 assiiro you, I wna refosod.'-

Tbe mesaagv indeed hod been sent, bttl never delivered lo Aniauda.

" 1 assure yoa, my lord," said alie, " I have heard of no such
vsqaest."

And praj child, how hare yon been employed all this licieJ"
artkcd Lady Greyjjtock.

" In readiitg, iniultiin," fanltered out Amanda, while her dealli-lilce
poleneas was suooe^ded by a deep bluali.

"Yon are oeiioinly ill," said Lord Mortimer, wlio sat beside her
ill a voice expresMive of regret at the convicliun: "yoo liave been
indulging inelanoLoly ideoii, 1 tsAt" continued he solUy, and taking
h(rr hand, " for surely — surely to-night yon are Dncommonly affected.''

Amanda attempted to speak : Ihe contending einoIIuDS of her mind
[irevMited her ntterance, and the tears trioLled tdlentty down her
cheeka. Lord Mortimer saw she wished to avoid notice, yet scarcely
could he forbear requeeliog some B«8)Btance for her.

Lady Euphrasia now complained of a violent head-ache ; the mar-
chioneiM wanted to ring for her reiiiodice: tliis Lady Eiiphravia
opposed; at lB«t,as if sTiddenly recollecting it, she said, "in the doset
there was a buttle of eao-de-luoe, which she was certain would be of
service lo her."

At the mention of the closet, the blood ran cold throngh the veina
of Amanda; bat when she sow Lady EapliraslB rise to enter it, had
death in its moat frightful form stared her in the fsoe, she oonld
not have betrayed more horror. She looked lowanls it with ■
countenance as ext>re«sive of wild affright,, as Macbeth's when vieW'
ing the chtur, on which the spectre of the murdered Bonqno nat.
Lord Mortimer observing the disordur of her looks, began to tremble ;
he grasped her hand with a convulsive motion, and exclaimed
"Amanda, wliat means this agitation?"

A Icmd scream from Lady Euphrasia broke upon their oars, and
(be nisbed from the closet, followed by Belgrave.

Oracious heavens!" eicl^med Lord Mortimer, dropping Aman-
hand, and rising precipitately.

Amanda looked aronnil— «lie beheld every eye fasteneil on hi^i
amazement and contempt; the shock was too much for bee Xci
confiuecl idea ihirtud into ber qiind, that a deep-laid flot

904 cuiLUKXN or the Asaar.

jonr eMiduct, is here required. I lure D»ltb«r ri^t aor lufiariliB

to interfeni ia Mui FiUiJiUi's coDcenut."

Tiie colooe. bowed to tbe circle and wm iniiring, whta 4-y^
flew to biin aud canglit his ann. " Snrelj, Mmlj," add tbm, alnoM
gaiiliiDg for brealJi, " joti cannot be to '"''"""■'i M to nttn vi^hMU
exjilaiiiing tbig whole a^r. Oh I Belgnve, 1mt0 BW not s pr^ li
ulaudur ; by all your hope* of mtxvy sad fiu^veaM* heraillMr, I m^
jure jou to clear my &nie."

" My deur creatnre," said he in a low voice, jet lond «Doa^ ti bi
heard by the whole party," any thing I conld ny would be van^
iiig ; you find they are detemined not to wtt thing* In tha U^U v*
wIkIi tbeiii viewed ; compose yonraelf, I beaeaoli ysQ, and b« aMm^
witilc 1 ciist, you never slioll want comfort or offlnenoa."

Ifc gvotly dihengnged himself as tie spoke, and qidtted tha m^
leaving ber riveted to the floor in amMftmnnt at hit Intnhnna wj
perfidy,

"I am Bure," said I^y Greyatock, "I ahall r^rot all my liktka
hour in wliicb I took licr under ray protection: tboo^ tatdaad, ftoH
ivhol I lienrd mum adtr uiy ai'nvul in Loudon, 1 sbmild Iiave dis-

* It niar, lioiver^r,*' eaji Aiiiaiiclu, " ha J'et revivoil, lu ni\tr iviUi
iQUiit'nsiiiQ ita ctiDtrivcca: U> bcaveii I tuava tha viudiculiuu of iny
IniiocaDoe; iu jiUitioii ie Hure, liiuu^li suineUiuos slow, and tiie Lour
f retnbutiun often urivce when knU exiwcted: mucli as I haro
:ifiiffertsl — much M I may still sutler, I tliiuk my own situaliun pre-
1b»bte to tliein, who bare set tLeir snores smund me: iLe injarer
*SKiNt reoetre greflter ji&ngs tLon the ii^ured — tlie pangs of guilt and
fCiuorse. I aliall return tu my obscniiCy, happy in the ounsuionsneKa,
I not a shelter frum shame, but a refuge from cruelty I seek :
'lurt eaa I be rarjirieed at meeting cruelty frcMn those, who liave long
« waved ilia tks of kindred ; — from those," and she glanced at
■dy Greystock, " wbu liave set aside the claims of jiutk-e and
IpwuMntCy."

I Hie morcliionesg trembled with rage at tbiti >i£icei.'li, nml us Amanda
IMred tVoin tbe room, excbiimed, " Intolerable assoriiuue."
* Amanda re[)ajred immediately to her chamber; she l(itL(^rcd as slie
iMked, anil Uie boiisekae]ier aud Urs. Jane, who, with some utber

Rvonts, had Odsembieil, out of eurioaity, near \he door, fulluivcd her
ther.

Tlie emotiwis s1i« liod so jmisftiUy supprcst, now burst fiTtli wiib
loltHiM; fhs fell into an Bgony of tears and sobs, whith iuipedeil
er breathing. The housekeeper and Jane loosened lior cloiheK, and
npported her to the beiL In n short time she waa sulBcienlly
•ecrered to be able to sjieak, and requested they would engage a
krriage tiir ber against the ncit day, at an early hour, tliat she tuiglit
tonmu,iu!e her Journey to Ireland; this they protuisvu, and at her

f 6uce«ss, and not lta;>pino>ui, liad crowned the marchioness's schemft;
B trinmphed in the disgrace slie had drawn npon Amanda, but
ired that disgraoe was only temporary ; she had entaogled her id a
Bifv, 1)nt dreaded doI having secured lier in it ; slie diutrujlod those
i> Itad asattod ber dnigns, for tlie guilty will ever suspect earh
pr; they mi(:ht hetmy her. i.r Colonel Belgrave might repent; but
iith evils, if lliey did ever Hriive. were probably fur distant; iu the
erim, all she deTircd tu ai!<'ouiplish, might be etivciwl. Long had
I beat nteditating an soma plan, whtcli should ruin Amanda
ever, not only in the oyiininn of Li>nl MoHiiuer, hut in Ibe rstima-
D ..r the woriii. With the profliga/-y of Cnhui.-l I1.4-r^ivo fbL- ww

296

CBILDKKK

ABBBT.

well Bcqnainted, and iaclined from it to beliere, that he woeU
readily Join in anj scLeme which oonld give him ■ chanes (tf po^
ffesing Amanda. On diBcovering lier roaidenoe, he bad orderad Ul
valet, who waa a tnuty agent in all his rillatuea, to endeavor to gkb
tuxQsa to the home, that he might disoover whether fher* •wtti I
chance of introdocing him there. Tite valet obeyed hla ordea^ Mid
Koon attached himself to Urs. Jane, whom the marohionMB hafi
placed about Amanda, from knowing ahe wak oapahls of waj
deoeiiful part. She waa introduced to Belgrav<^ and a bandaoom
proseut aecared her in Ids interest.

She comtnimicaled to the marchioneaa partianlara d Quit Inter
view : from that period they tiad been seeking to Mng about anoh fe
Bcone OS was at lost acted ; for the conduct of Amanda bad bllliarto
defeated their attention. Her staying from the ball at l»t gare th*
wished for opportanity.

Lady Euplirasia was apprized of the whole plot, and the hint flf
her iudispoiiition was given in the morning, that no sas|ridoD ml^it
Ixi entcrtaioed in tlie evening, when mentioned as a plea for retnnlng

I

CBILDHISN OF TaB AUUBV. 2Si1

AAer traversing several streets, in an QgoDj- no iongne could
describe, he returned to Portmiin Sqaare. Hi:! (auoj preaeoted
Amanda to bU view, ovei-whelmed ^ith Bhame, bdiI mcking beoe^h
tbe keen reproaclies levelled at b«r. In tlie idea uf Ler suftVriugs, all
lesentment for her supposed perfidy was Ibrgottcn. lluinati nature
wu liable to err, and the noblest etlbrls that nature could iiiOike, ttaa
to pardon such errors. To apeak coniibrt to this fallen aiigcl, ho felt
'oold relieve tlje weight which prest iiiwc hia own broaiit. — Pole and
liisordored, he entered Ilie room, and found tlie hidles apparently
trsch aS'uoted.

"Mj dear lord," said the nutruhioncea, "t ain glad jou are come
back ; as a triend of the family, joa may perhaps honour us with
your advice on the present occasion."

" Indeed," eiclEumed l-ady Greystouk, " I suppose hia lurdshtp Is
at OB great losa to know wliat con be done as we are. Was the colo-
nel la A eitoatiun to moke any reparation! but a married man, only
think how horrible I"

"Execrable monster!" cried Lord Mortimer, starting from iiia seat,
and traverBtng tbe room ; " it were a deed of kindneea to numkind to
extirpale bim from the earth: but say," continued he, and bis voioa
Ddterwl as he spoke, "where is the nurortuoat&— " lie oouiU not pro-
nounce the nai[)o of Amanda.

"In ber own room," replied tbe marchioness : " I assure yoa, aha
behaved with not a little insolence, on Lady Grejatock's advising Ler
tw retnm home. For my part, I aliall let her act is sbo pleases."

She tben proceeded to mention the marquis's resolution of leaving
the house till aha had quitted it, and that he insisted on their accom-
panying him.

"To return to her father, ia certainly tbe only eligible plan she con
pursue,'' scud Ixird Slorlimcr, "hut allow me," couiinued be, "to
request, that your ladyship will not impute to insolence, any eipre»-
■ion which dropped from ber; pity her wounded foeliag?, and soflen
Iier BorrowB,"

"I declare," cried Lady Euphrasia, "I tJioiglit I shonld Lava
fwnted from the pily I felt for her."

" Yon pitied lier, then," said Lord Mortimer, wtting down by Lei
lailyship, "you pitied and sooth«d ber afflictions i"

" Yoa, indeed," replied she.

13»

203

OF Tni AiBcr

]f eT«i Lailj Euphrasia Bppeared pleasing in theeycs of loidltar-
timer, it waa at this moment, when be vm jcredaloiu — "™g^ to
belieTS sLe had slied Uie tear of pitj over his lost Amantiii

lie toolc her hand. " AL I my dear Lady Eaphraslk,^ lud he, b
an accent of melting Kiflnoss, " perhaps evea now she needs oouolfr
tion; a gentle female fHend mmld be a oorafoii to her wcmndad

l.ai1f Eujibrasia immediatetf took the hint, and aaid she wcnfld go
to lier.

He led her to the door. " Yon arc going," cried he, " to perfbim
the office of aa angel; to console the afflicted: >hl «ell dnas H
become the jonng and gentle of yonr sex, to pity snoh misfbrtunaK."

Her ladyship retired, bnt not indeed to the ohamber of the fbdbn
Amanda ; in her own she vented the rago of b«r son], in aomathiiig
little short of execrations against Lord Mortimer, for the aSbcUon dM
KDW he still retained for Aninnda.

On her ladysliip'a retiring. Lady Greystook mentioned erery parti-
cular sbe hod heard from Urs. Jennings, and bitterly lamented Iwr

2U9

adothoc^ vbea a innid entered the chnmber, auJ siiiil, " Loi'i3 M^ortimer
was below, and wialicd to speak to her."
TutiiuliJii.'ua juj pervaded the mind of Amandn; alio had bclicTeil
iit proliblile she tbowld not see bim again before her departure for
'.Jrolttod, from wlisnoe she had detennined writing to him the partion-
■ibu^ of tliB affair. His visit seemed to anoounce he tliought no'
unfavourably of her: she sup]>osed be corae to as^nre lier, that his
lioD of bor intogritj was mu^hakeo, "and I ehnll yet trimiipli,''
i«ied sh?, in the traoBport of the idea, "over malice and treachery."
3he sprung past the toaid ; ber feet Hcarce touching the gronnd, and
a moment she found herself In the arms of Lord Mortimer, which
'Jn voluntarily opened to rcoeive hor, for trembling, weak, and diaor-
'iidered, she wonld else, on aeeing bim, have sunk to the floor.

e supported her to a sofa; in a little lime she raised ber head
ftom his ahonlder, and wclaiined,

" Oh I yon are come, I know you are come to comfort me."
" Wonld Vo heaven," he answered, " I were capable of either giving
^receiving! com fort; thoperiod, however, I trust, may yet arrive, when
■Ttra shall hotb, at least be more cumposed : — to mitigate your sorrows,
would lessen niy own ; for never, oh never can my lieart forgot the
^love and esteem it once bore Amanda."

"Once bore berT' repeated Amanda, "once bore her, Lord Mor-
timer, do you say t— then yon wisli to imply, they no longer eiist."

The tone of angnlsh in whieh she spoke, pierced the heart of Lord
Ifortimeri unable to speak, be arose, and walked to the window to
^de bis emotion.

His words, his silence, all conveyed fl Ma\ tmlli to Amandn; she
Hcvr a dreadful and etemiJ separation eSl-cted between her anil Lord
jMorlimer; — She beheld herself deprive<l of repntntion, loaded with
OiJnrany, sjid no longer an object of love, bnt of detealation and con-

Iler anguish was almost too grent to bear, yet ihe pride of injured
Innocence made lier wish to coucenl it ; and as Lord Mortimer stood
$t the window, she determined to try and leave the room without hi*
iwleilpB, bnt ere she gained the door, her bead grew giddy, ba
Mpength failed, she staggered, faintly screamed on finding beree"'
JAdling, and simk npou tlie floor.

l/>rd Moitiiner wildly called for assistance ; be raised miil rinT>'!.

200

ORILDREK or THE

BAIT.

bw back to the «>&; h« •traiMd bcr to liis botou ; kiM«] Lit pifa

lips, and we[)t over her.

" I have wonnded ;oar gentle eoul, m; Amande," he cried, " bat I
have turturod mj own by doiug m> ; &b I still d;«reat cf womsn, XA
the WDi'Id compaaitioDato yonr errors, ai I oompasdcnata Unpi,
ncitiier contempt nor calaiuny wonld ever be your portion. How
pale Bbe look^," said he, raising his lie«d to gaM upon liar hat.
"how like a lovely flower, nntiiuelj- faded; yet were It happincaa flir
her never to revive: a eoul like hers, originally nobl^ moat be
wrcti^hed nndcr the pressure of acom. Exeorobla Belgnvel tha
fairest work of heaven is deetrojcd by you. Oh I my *""''^", my
distreas is sorely severe, thougli sngoish rives my heart for yonr Ioml
I must corit^l it: tlie sad luxury of grief will be denied me; tbrllw
world WDuld eiiiile if I should say, 1 now lamented yon."

Siicli were (he cfiiisions of sorrow which bruke from JjotA Hortinief^
over tlie iusetibible Amanda. The liou^eeper, who had been liatcoinf
all this <i">n. uow appeared, aa if in obedience to hie call, and oBtni
1 r«<M)vt.'rinK Amanda. Heavy ligba at length ga«v

aunt, on fiuding it oontiuiled ■ back Dole for live Lundred pouuds:
tbe ytotih were aa followB :

inaldsrme, Aiiiiindm,lattull(titaf kbroLfaf-r: u SBch iccepi nj mttIcu : lo HtT>
Udlowme. TUneuaarTfoailiiiuldrHinlmnHdludrtarDartiilharTlMdUM

What ft BBm," eried the hongefceepw, m ibe esaniMd tbe note,
*f what a nice little iudependenoy ironld this, in addition to what I
fcare already Mved, be for aa boneBt woiuim 1 Wliat a pity it is such
jature as it is dueigned for, should posHSB it?" The house-
keeper, like her lady, was fertile in invetitiun: to be snre there was
•oniu danger in her prefect sobeme, bat for sncb a prize it wsa
vorUi her while to nm some ri^. Could she bat get Amanda ofi^
the carriage from Lord Mortimer arrived, she believed all wonld
succeed aa sbe could wish. Amanda, ignorant as she was of Lord
Uorttmer's intentions, wonld not, consequently, be influenced bj
Ibem, to oppose anything alie could do. Fall of this idea, she ran
and calling a footman, high in her favour, desired him immedt-
:Rtelj to procure a travdUng chuse for Mini Fitzalan. Slie then
Mturoed to Auauda, who was Juut beginning to move.

" Come, come," cried sbe, going to her, and roughly shaking her
■boulder, " have done with tboee tragedy iuri, and pre|>are yonrself
l^aiust tlie carriage you ordered, conies : it will be at the door in t

Amanda looked around the room, "Is Lord Mortimer gone then I"

^d she,

' Lord, to be etire he is," cried the houaekeeper, " be bos left you
tlie floor, and aa he went out, be sud yon should never have

another opporLunity of deoeiving liim."

A Builden phrenzy oeemed to frei^e Amanda : slie wrung her hands,

wiled upon Lord Uortimer in tlie imposfeiomtte Imuguogo of despair,

Had flung herself on tlie grouud, exdoiniiug, " this last stroke is mor«

thsn 1 can bear."
The housekeeper grew alarmed, leat her nictation eliould retard
9T departiire ; ebe raised her forcibly Irom the ground and said,
the (11(1=1 ciniiposc herself to b^nber journey, whieb was unavoid

309 CBILDHETa OF THE ABBET.

kblo, as tlio m&rchioneas bad given a))soIate orders to have bar w
from the house early in the morning."

" Accursed houaol" said Amanda, whose reason waa restored bj
the strenaons remonstraiiMa of the housekeeper, " Ob I that I had
never entered it." She tlien told her companion, " if ahe would
B-isist her, as she was almoat t«> weak to do anything heraeH chs
wontd ho ready against the carriage came." The housekeeper Azi
maid accordinglj attended her U) her chamber ; the former bron^ht
her drops, and the latter assisted in putting on her habit, and packing
np her clothes. Amanda baring secured her tmnks, desired tLey
might be sent hy the first opportunity, to Castle Carberrj ; she bad
left a great many clothes there, so look nothing at present nitb I
but a small quantity of linen. She had but a few guineas in her
pnrso, her watch, however, was valuable : and if she had money
enough to carry her to Dublin, she knew there she might pracnre ft
BUihcient sum on it to carry her home.

At last the carriage came; with a trembling fi>rm, and a half
broken heart, Amanda entered it. She saw Nicholas the footouui)
■who had procured it, ready mounted to attend her. She told him tl
was nnneceasflry to do so, but he declared he could not think of letting'
BO jotm^a lady travel unprotected. She was pleased at his attention;
she had shuddered at the idea of her forlorn ailnation, and now dropt
a tear of sweet sensibility at fiodiug she was not utterly deserted b;
every human being. The carriage took the road to Park-Gate, a
Amanda chose to embark from thence, the journey being bo much
nearer to it than to Euiybead. It was now about eight o'clock ; after
travelling shout fonr hunrs, the chaise stopt at a small house on tha
rood side, which appeared to be a common ale-house. Amanda was
unwilling to enter it, but the horses were hero to be obsnged ; and
she was shown into a dirty parlour, where almost sinking with
weakness, ehe ordered tea to be immediately bronglit in. She
much astonished, as she sat at the tea-table, to see Nicholas enter
wjora, with a familiar air, and seat himself by her. She Stared nt
first, snppofling him intoxicated; bnt perceiving no sign of this on
Donntennnoe, began to fear the insulin she had received at the nwrqnts'*
made him think himself authorited to treat her with this in9ole»c&
Sbe rose abruptly, and summoning all her resolntion «o lior aid,
de«rei] him to retire, adding, "if his atleiid.tnce was re'i'ii^'ite. sha
would ring for liim."

CniLDRE.N OF TUS ABBItr. H03

■ Nicliolfts nbo quitted hia seat, ftii<] following her, caught Iier in b!>
■rms, eiclairaing, " bless ur, bow boifj tflity yon arc grown."

Amanda RhrJeked, ftQil Blamped on the floor, in an agonj of terroi
fcnd indignation.

' " Well now really," eaid be, after what happened at home, I tbink
Jfan need not bo bo coy with tne."

" Oh ! save Tne, heaven, from this wretch," waa all the B&ighted
?jtwida could artienlate.

^ The door openei!, a waiter appeared, and told Nicholas he wna
tranied withont, Nivholaa released Amanda, and ran directly from
fee room. Amanda sunk npon a diair, and her head tnmed giddy at
fte ideo of tlie dangers with which she waa snrronnded. She saw
ierself in the power of a wretch, perhaps wretches, for the honse
aeemod a proper place for scenes of villany, withotit the means of
delivering herself. She walked to the window: a conned ides of
ftitting tbroagh it, and mnning from the honse, darted into bermind,
Imt she turned from it in agony, at seeing a namber of countrymen
A^nking before it. She now could only rMse ber feeble bonds to

«Tan to supplicate its protection.

She past Miirte minutes in tliis manner, when the lock turned, and
jbade her shudder ■ but it was the landlady alone who entered ; she
ifenie, she s^d, with Nicholas' respectful duty, and be was sorry he
obliged Ui go back to town, without seeing her safe to her
■ftnmey's eud.

" Is he really gone ?" asked Amanda, with all the eagerness of Joy,

* ''Yea," the woman said, "a person had followed him from London,
•n pnrpose to bring him back."

* " Is the carringo ready J" cried Amanda.
' Blie was informed !t was.

' "Let me fly, then," said she, running to the dour, "Let me fly, or
Be wretch may return,"

* The landlady impeded her iirogreas to toll her the bill was not yet
fcttlcd. Amanda pulled out her purse, and bcsouglit her not to

in be-. This the woman had no desire to do; things were there-
settled without delay between them, and Amanda was driven,
Vitli as much erpedidon aa she could desire, from the terrifying
tntiision. The ohatsa had proceeded about two miles, when in the
middle of a solilnrr road, or ratlier lan% by the side of a nwd, it

JWB

■Dddeoly Blopt. AomutU, alarmed at every iucideot, baatU; kxricad
out aud inquired wliat was tJi« inattei'; but how iiii|>osiiible todeocribc
ber terror, wlien site tielield Colonel Belgravo, and. Xicboloa Etotidiiig
bj Lira, She shrunk back, and entreated tlie postiUioo to diive on;
bat he beeded not Ler entreaty, Niubolas opened tbe door, and
Belgrave sprang into the carriage. Amanda Btlempted to bhrst open
tbu door at the opposite side, but be cauglit her to his boaom and tba
horses set off at ftiU speed. Colonel Belgrave's valet bad been
eocretod by Urs. Jane the preceding night in tiie house, that be utight
Da able to give bis master intelligeuoe of all that passed witliin it, ift
xnseqacnce of bia being discovered in tbe closet. On bearing t*uA
tbe &raily were gone to the marquia'd TiUa, Belgrave believed b«
ooald eadly prevul on tbe domestics, to deliver up Amanda to bim.
Elated with tbia hope, lie reached tbe bouse, attended by bia valol^
JuhC after she had quitted it, The boiisekeoper hesitated to infora
him of tbe road she bad taken, till sbe had procured wliat she knew
would be tbe conttequence of her hesitation, a large bribe. Horaea
were then immediately procured, and Belgrave and Ids servant set oC
in |>ursiut of Amanda. The sight of a travelling cliiuse at the liitia
inn already mentioned, prompted their inqniriea; and on finding iL*
cliaiite waited for Ainanda, tbe colonel retired to a private room, aent
for Nicbolus, and secured bim in bis interest It was settled tbot
they shoold repair to the wood, by wliii^h the [Mistillion was k'ibed ta
pass, aud from thence proceed to a country bouse t! the oulund'si
Their scheme accomplished, Nicholas, happy in tlie servi<« be h^
done, or rather the reward he bad obtaiuud for that s«rvici>, ^jSla
turned his face towards London.

Ttie carriage and attcndante Lord Mortimer procured for Amanda,
arrived oven earlier tlian the housokeeper bad expected, and aha
blcBsed her lucliy stars for the precipitancy with wbicb she liad
liurried otF Amanda.

Tliey were followed by bis lordsliip bijnBclf, whose wretched beart
coold not support the idea of letting Ainauda depart witJiout one*
more beholding her. GreAt was bis dismay, Ms ostonialiment, wbea
Ihe honsekeeiier infoniied bim she was gone.

"Gonei" be repealed, clmngiag colonr.

The bousekeeper said, that without her knowledge Miss Fitulan
bad a ubaisc hired, aud tJie momtut it came^o the dour, stopped into

3oa

1^ notwl thstanding she wag tulJ his lordship meant to provide erery

g proper for her journey liiraself; "bol she eaid, mj lord," cried

e hou)i«ke«p«r, " she wonted none of yonr care, and tbat ehe oonld

r ^t fast enough from a hoaae, or from people, nhere and by

III jihe had been so ill treated."

t> Ixird Mortimer asked if she bad auj attendant, and whether she

M>k Uie Iett«r.

► The housekeeper answered both these qnestiona in the affirmative ;
•■Troly, my lord," she continued, "I bulieve yonr lordship said
■omething in that letter which pleased her, for she smiled on opening
it, and Raid, '"Well, well, this U sotnethiof like comfort."

"And was she really so mean," he was on the point of asking, but
he timely checked a question which was spriD^n^ from a heart that
Nckened at ^ding the object of his tondercst affections unworthy in
every respect of possessing them. Every idea of tliis kind soon gave
way to anxiety on her aoconnt; his heart misgave him at her under-
taking 90 long a journey onder the protection of a common servant;
and anahle to endora his apprehensions, he determined ini^tanlJy to
pnrsne, and sec !ier safe himself to the deatinod port,

man who had liitherlo sat in the chaise, was ordered home;

■ ka entered it with eagerness, and promised liberally to reward the

bstillions if tliey nsed expedition. They had changed horses bnt
tMce, when Lord Mortimer saw Nicholas approaching, whom, at the

■ Bnt glance, he knew. He slopped the carriage, and called out,
-• "Where have yon left Miss Fitzalan I"

"Faith, my lord," cried Nicholas, instanliy stopping and taking
[-«ff his hat, " in very good company ; I left her with Colonel lielgrave,
o was wdting by appointment on the road for her."
• "Ohl horrible infatuation I" said Lord Mortimer, "tliat nothing
D snatch her from the arms of infamy."
The postillion desired to know whether hi ehoold return to

- Lord Mortimer heutated, and at last desired nim to go on accord-
ing to his first directions. Jle resolved to proceed to Park-gate, and
discover whether Amanda had retnmeil to Ireland. They had not
proceeded far, when they overtook a travelling chaise. Ai Lnrd
Mortimer passed he looked into it, and beheld Amanda reclining on
the iMMom at Belgrave. He trembled unireraalty, closed his ejH,

B K r

and iighed but the name of the pertidioiu Aiaontla. Wliea thty hid
got aume itay before the otiier chaide, ha desired tlie poetiUioo to
Blrike iilT into wiotlwr rodd, wLicli, by a circuit of a few milea, would
biiog theni back to London. Amanda, it wai) evidaot, had pat
hertwlf under the proleotioQ of Belgrave, and to know wlietker ebe
went to Ireland was now of llttlo cun»ec|ueiioe to ,.iui, as Its soppoeed
her unreclaiiuable ; but how hnpoiuiible to da«;ribe his distreas and
confu»iun, when ahnosl, the firat object he beheld oa alighting in BL
Jooiea' Square, waa his auut, Ladj Martlia Dormer, who, in oompU-
Mice with his urgent request, liad hastened to London. Had »
spectre crossed his siglit, lie ooul<l not have been more sbooked,

" Well, m; dear Frederick," eud her ladysliip, " ;oa see 1 lost no
time in obeying jour wishas: I tuiTe flown hither, I msj indeed s^,
on tbe wings of love; but where is tliis little divinity of tbinet I
long to liave a peeji at her goddess-ship."

Lord ICoTtimer, inespreseibly allocked, turned to the window.

"I shall see, to be enre," cried her hulyship, "quite a little
paragon : positiTslj, Frederick, I will be introduced this very evai>
ing."

"Uj dear aunt, my de&r Lady Uartlia," said Lord Uortimer,
iinixitientlj-, " for liearen's sake sjiwe tne."

" But tell me," she continued, " wbeii I ahaU couunonoe this atlAok
npoD your father's heart."

" Never, never," sighed Lord Mortimer, half distracted,

" What, you suppose he will prove inflexible I but I do not despur
of conrincing jou to the contrary ; tell me, Fredoiiut, when the Ut£'«
charmer can be seen."

" Oh Ood t" cried Mortimer, striking his forehead, " she is Icet,**
sud he, " she is lost forever."

Lady Martha wa.i alnrmed ; she now, for the first time, noticed th«
wild and pallid looks of her nephew.

"Gracious heavens!" she eidaimed. "what is the matter!"

The dreadful esplanation I^rd Mortimer now found himself under
the neoeeslty of giving: tlie shiune of acknowledging he was eo
deceived: the agony he euflered from that deception, joined to thfl
eicesaiie agitation and fiktlgne he had suffered the preceding Eigh^
aud the present day, so powerfully assailed him at this monienl, that
his scuj>(\ suddenly gave way, and he autnally faiuted on the iluur.

^P CUILDKSK OF TUK ABUEY. 3U1

^K? What * sight for Iha tender Ijtily HftrCha; site saw some tiling
^^^jlraull'ul had Lairpeniiil, uud wliat tliui icag, LurJ Murtimer, ll4 «ouii
■■ ke rocQVtireil, ialuruted ber.

Ha thea retired to hia chamber; Ite coiM neitlier Kiaven«, nur
bear to bo cooveraeil with : ha ioudmt h<ii<m were blasted ; nor
u,iu!d he forego the sad ioduigenoe of nwnraing over tliem in soli-
tade; he felt almiMt oonvinoed tliat the bold Amimda bod on bis
kfibctions ounld not be vritbdrawn ; be had Hmsidered her ae euarc ely
]«(« than hia wife, aud had sba l>een really aiiob, her prwetit iMindout
coald not havo girca him more angmsb. Had she bma snatulied
tVom liim b; the baud of death \ htul slie beeu wedded to a worthf
ohsrocter, he could have H[iminoDe<) fortitude to hia aid, bat to find
her the proy of a villain, was a stroke too horrible to bear, at leait
for a lu[>g period, with patieace.

CnAPTER XSX.

7d M K BuVl ItiT pity iharc,

Ur Ama51>a hod fainted »oon un«r Oolone] BclgraTB entered the car-

^ilfa^, and she was reelining on his bosom in a state of iDsensibility,

iNrbrn Lord Mortimer past. lo this situation she continued, till tbey

gained a solitary road, when tlie carriage stopi, and wntcr pro-

■ed hoax an adjaoeoi cottage, being sprintlod od her fiwe she

<rered : bat utber by arguments, or iictluii, elie was now unable

» oppose Belgrove ; she felt a weakness tliron|f)i her whole Ihune,

ich she believed the forerunner of death ; and a lonpjor on her

ind that almost deprived it of the perception of misery.

The refresliinents ordered to her, she could only refuse by a motion

' her head ; and in this manner they proceeded till about nine o'clock

I night, when they entered an witensive wood, in the very centre of

ich atnod Colonel Belgi'ave's mansion. He carried Amanda him-

iolo it, and laid her npon a so& in a brga parloor, Buuie feiuBlo

doinestica appeared with drops and cordials, to try to r
from the almost lifulesa state Id 'wliicli slie lay. One o( ihem pro**
eDt«d a letter to Oolonel Belgrave, irhidi excited no little pertarbatiait
in his mind; it <sine express to inform liim that his aiuAa, wIumb
estate and title he was heir to, lay at the point of death, and tbathii
presence immediately waa required.

Th« colonel was not so abaolntely eugropsed by love na to be inc«
])able of attending to his interest. An addition to his fortune wi
extremely agreeable, as his affairs were aomewhat deranged ; and a
Amanda was not in a aituation at present to comply with any over
torea he should make, bis reaolution waa immediately formed to aet
off without delay, and agdnst his reinra, he trusted Amanda would
not only be recovered, but willing to accede to liis w

ne dismisaed the woman who had bronght her a little to herself
and taking her hand, informed her of tlie painful necesaity he wal
under of departing for a short time : he abo mentioned hie hopes, that
on his retom he should have no obstacle thrown in the way of hli
Jiappiness by her. " Yon must be sensible, my dear Amanda," a
he, with coolness, " that your reputation ia as much gone aa if y
had complied with my wishes : since it is sacrificed, why nut eqjoy
the advantages that may, that will certainly attend the reality of tb^

"Monster I" cried Amanda, "your arts may have destroyed my
fame, but niy innocence bids defiance to your power."

" Conquer yonr obstinacy, Amanda," replied be, " against I retnm,
or I ehall not promise bat wliat I may at last be irritated. As yon
will have no occasion for money here, yon mnst esciise me, my d««r
creature, if 1 lake your purse into ray own keeping: my domestica
may be faithtiil, when they have no inducement to the contrary; but
no bribery, no corruption, yon know."

lie (lien deliberately took Amanda's purse and watch from her
pocket, and deposited them in his own. He had already given direc-
tions to his servants concerning the treatment of Amanda, and now-
ordered tliem to carry her to a chamber, and make her aome rcfresh-

"Beflect, Amanda," «aid he, ere she retired, "on yonr prearait
Ntoation, and timely estimate the advantages I offer to yocr a
tnnce ; wealth, pleftsnre, the attention of a man who adoree you, ar«

CHILDRKK or TUB ABBST. 30 It

not to be despiwd. Dpon my wu.' it grieves me to leave yon, bnt tho
yjH of meeting will I trust, pay the pangs of sbsenco."

As he spoke, ho attempted to embrace her, bat she faintly shrieted,
find shrunk from hii grasp. He looked provoked, bjt as he had no
time to lose, he reserved a decloratloD of bia tmgor fur another oppoc-
tunily, and directly set off for his uncle's.

AiimuJa was supported t« a chamber, and lay down in her clothes
on a bed. They offered her bread and wine, but she was too sick to
touch any. To remonstrate with the insolent looking vreatures who
■urriunded her, she knew nonld be unavailing, and she tnmed her
face on the pillow to stifie her sobs, as she believed tbey would eiult in
her distress. Death she thought approaching, and the idea of being
Bcpai'ated from the dear objects who woold have soothed its last
pangs, wan dreadful; her father in agony, and Oscar, her beloved
brother )>ew<iiling her with tears of sorrow, were the images Gincy
presented to her view.

" iX:ar objecta of my love," she eofUy eidumed, " Amanda shall
no more behold you, bnt her last sigh will bo breathed for yon. Ah I
why, why," she cried, " did I soli'er myself to be separated from my
father !"

A yonng woman leaned over Amanda, and snrvoyed her with tha
most malignant acrntiny; ah o was daughter to Belgrave's steward,
end neither she nor her father posaeased snffiuient virtue to make
them reject the offers Belgrave mode them oa her account. Bis
attachment to her was violent, bnt transient, end in the height of it
he made her mistress of the mansion ahe now occupied, which char-
Dcier ehe maintained with tyrannic away over the rest of her domee-
tica. Belgrave was rcftlly ignorant of the violence of her temper, and
hod no ides she would dare dispnte bia incUnations, or disobey his
orders ; he believed she would be subservient to both, and from, this
belief gave Amanda particnlarly into her charge.

lint scarcely had he departed, ere she swore, "that let the cogse-
iiuence be what it would, the vite wreteh he had brought iuto the
house to insult her, shfluld never remain in It: she shall tramp," cried
she, " though I follow her uiyselt^ when he returns, for such a little
hussey shall never triumph over me."

The servants, ignorant and timorous, did not attempt to oppose

\

''Come, mftd&m," aud Bhe, suddenly teidog Amssda's arm, snS
pQUiag her from the pillow, "h&re done with theee Uogubhiug aiit,
add mwch."

"What do joD meant" cried i^maDda, trerobliog at bcr Inflamed

eonntenanae.

" Wliy I mean that you sliall qnit tiiis honse dircrtly, and I wunder
Ooloiiel Belgrave c«uld have Ihe assaraiioe to briug sach a oreatnre ai

"You mistake, indeed," sud Amanda, " treachery, not imOinatioa,
brought me into it, and I am not what you suppose; if, ns y-M wy,
yon allow me to depart, I ehall ever regard yon as a fin«iiil, and
io every prayer I offer up to heaven for myself, yon shall be remem'
bared."

"Oh dear, bnt you slioU not impose upon me so easily; come,"
oODtinned she, turning to her maid, " and help me to cotiduot this
fine lady to the hall door."

"Graciooa heavens," said Amanda, who by tliis time was tAken or
rather dragged from the bed, " what are yon about doing wili me I
Though I r^oice to quit the hoa«e, yet surely, surely," she cried, and
Ler soul recoiled at the idea, "withoat a guide at this hour of Om
night, you will not turn me from it."

She then mentioned Colonel Belgrave's having deprived her of tha
pnrse and watch, and besought the woman in the most pathetic term*,
to supply her witli a small sum, vrliicli she solemnly aisored ber
shottid be returned, as soon as ehe readied her frienda; and ended
with saying, she should depart with gratitude ajid joy, if slie oompliei
with her request, and allowed some one to goldc her to a place whert
she might procure a oarrioge.

" Such madams as yoa," replied tlie iro]>erions woman, are never ol '
a loss for means of procuring m<mey, or a plac^' to go to : I see tliroQfi^b
your art well enough ; you want me to pity yon, that I may let yon
■tay till year oolond retnms: but who would be fool then I wonderf
the tables, I warrant, would soon hetnmed upon me: No, no, only
go this moment."

Bo saying, she rndely seiwd Amanda, and assisted by nnoiher
woman, hurried her down stnint, and out of the lionse directly: tliey
earned her to an intricate part of the wood, and then ran back, Itvr
ing the helpless mourner Ivauiiis agiiinst a tree.

CHIL

^^ AmaD'la lookeJ aronnd her; ilark irad nwfnl wore tlie sIiaJM of
B|bo WW d: no ligbt appeared but what came from a few waiidiTiog
Btara, wliioh only served to render darknosa riaible. "Havo raercj
upon me, heavon,'" groaned Amanda, as she felt herself sinkmK to tha
earth. The cold acted as a kind of r^ 9torBtiT& and almost iiniiiediat&-
]j reviTCd her. Bhe rested her head against a iittle lank, and as eho
thus reclined, a tender sadness pervaded her amd, at the idea ot her
father's sorrow when he lieard of her fate. '-When he hears," cned
she, " that I was driven tiom Uie honse. as nnworthy of pity or pro-
teotioQ from any being ; that his Amanda, whom he cherished in his
bosom as the darling of his age, was denied the pity ha wonld have
ahewn the greatest wretch that crawls vpon the earth ; and that she
perished without shelter, it will hreak his heart entirely. Foot Oscar,
too, alns I T shall ba a sotirc« of wretchedLesa to both. Will Lord
Mortimer lament when he hears of my fate ? Alas 1 I cannot believe
that ho will : he tliat could leave mo in the ari.is of in«en?ibi1ity, and so
readily believe ill of me, most have a heart steeled against oomposMon
for my aulferings. Bnt my nnhappyfi-tlicr and hrolher will never donbt
my innocence, and by them I shall bo tenderly and tnily Tn.mrned."

kThe ides of their snAerings at last recalled her wandering thoughts,
and pity for those snfferinga, made her endeovonr to support her own,
bat she might be able to make some efTorts for preserving a life so
preeioiis to them ; besides, as alie reflected, she conld not but attribute
her expnluoD from the honse of infamy, to the immediate interposition
of Providenoe in her favoar; and whilst hei heart swelled with
gratitude at the idea, her fortitude gradually returned. Bin; kos»,
but the vigour of her nerves was not eqnn to the ardour of her
intentions: she walked on, and as she proceeoed, the glo^m grew
more profound : the paths were iuti-icat*, and her progress was often
1 tmpeded by the roots of trees and ttie branches which grew about
^K.lhem. Aiter wandering ahont a considerable time, she at last began
^Elo think, that instead of gaining tlie skirts, she had penetrated inM
^P'ttie very oeutre of Uie wood, and that to qnit it till morning would be
^Pjtnpossiljle. Yielding to this idea, or rather to her excessive woori-
^K|nss, she was seeking for a place to sit down on, when a faint light
^pjlHinmered before her; she instantly darted through the path from
' whence it Reamed, and found herself at the extremity of the word,
ifai that the ligh'. proceeded from a small hamlet contiBUoni to It.

812 CBILURBK or THE inUET,

Thither she watted, as last as her trembling Utnbs wtrali! oany ku
A profonnd litillacda reigoed around, onl; iatermptud by Ihe IiouM
mod bollow luLrking of some dLstant doga, which, iu such ao huur, bai
something parlionlarly solemn in it. Tlie stillDosa, and sudden tliaq>>
peer3iic« of lights Irom viiric)us TCiodow;:, cimviuced Amanda tint '
every cottage was closed for the night ; " and were the)- open," aH
■he, "I porhagis sboajd be denied access to any, df'i'rived aa 1 sm, of
the means of retrnrdlug kiudneas." She shuddered at the id*A at
passlag a night nnslieltered. " It is now, indeed," said she, " I ratUf
know what it is to fed for the honsclesa cidldron of want." Sha
mored soMy along; the echo of her own stepn alunned lier, she litd
nearly reached tlie end of the hiunlel, when befiire a neat cottogei,
divided Irom the others by a clamp of old trees, she enw a veoenble
man, who might well have pns^xl for an ancient hermit; his graj
locks thinly shaded hia forehend ; an expression of deep and pcoflivs
thought was visible in his coimteuanee ; his arms were folded on tits
breast, and his eyes were raised with a tender melancholy to hearun,
as if that heaven he contemplateil, was now the abode of sonut
kindred and lamented spirit. Surely sneh a being, thought slio, will

^

Id wve ber from destruction, aad reproached Mortimer for siJing to
OTerwbetm ber in disgraco. She continaed in this eituatlon tlirea
days, during whidi tlie old mun and liia fuithful Bcrvant ivatched tior
will] unremitted attention. A nQighboitriog apotbecarj' wiu sura-
itiooad to Ler aid, and a ^j'1 from one of tiie cottagca proi^ured to git
□p witli Iter at niglit. The old man freqneutly knelt bj the bod side,
watchiug tvitli aiiiictj, for a faroorable symptom. Her incobereitt '
oxpreB^ona piercod bim to t!ie heart lie felt, from iDonrnfuI sympt-
Uij, for tlie father she io patlietically meatioiied, and invoked LeAven
to rfifltoro her to bim.

The afternoon of the third day, Amanda after a long Blnmber,
awoke, perfectly restored to her senses; it wna many minutes,
however, after her awaking, ere slio reoolleotcd all the cironmstanow
tbat bad caused ber present gitnation.

She at last opened tlie curtain, and perceived tba old woman, whom
we shall hereafter call Eleanor, seated by the bed side.

" 1 fear," said she ivitli a languid smile, " I have been tbe ocoasion
of a great deal of trouble."

" No, no," replied the kind Eleanor, delighted to hear her speak so
caltaly, and drawing hack a little of tbe curtain at the some time, to
otiserve her looks.

Amanda inquired Itow long she bad been ill. Eleanor informed
lier, and added, " heaven, my door child, was kind to you, in tlirow-
iag jon in my master's way, who delights in befriending Ibe help-

»."

"Heaven will reward bim," eiclainied Amanda.

The chamber waa gloomy ; she requested one of llie shntters might
be opened. Eleanor complied with her desire, and a ray of the
declining sun darting tbrongb the casement, cheered her pensive heart.

She perfectly remembered the venerable figure slie had beheld on Uie
threshold of the cottage, and was impatient to caress tier gratiindp
to bim. The next day, she trusted, would give her an opportunity
of doing BO, as she then resolved, if possible, to rise. Tlie wi^ of her
Bonl was to be with her father, ere he could receive any intimation
of what had liappencd. Slie resolved to communicate to lior benevo-
lent host, the incidents which had placed ber in such a situation; and
she fiattered herself, on hearing them, he would accommodate ber
with tbe means of returning to Ireland; if nnable (nnwilting she
U

3U

tmaid not tliiuk she should Sad hlio) to do tlia, tiia ti

irritdDg to Lcr father. — This meuore, howeTer, ■

tnuited, she should bftre no occasion to talce, u die well knew 01*

Bboclc such a lettor would ipve him.

Contrary to the inclinationa of Eleanor, ahe roM ths next d^, mi
as eoOD 89 she was drest, sent to reqnest iir. Howell'i """^nj
Eleanor had infurmed her of her master'a name.

The diamber was on a grouod floor ; before the wiadoir wen •
row of neat white cottages ; and behind tiiem row a range cf lol^
hills, covered to the yerj Bommit with trees, now Jn«t bnndng Intrt
verdure ; before the cottage ran a clear murmuring rlTole^ at whloh
eotne jouDg ^rls were washing clothu, whilst othera ipraad ttwm
npon liedgee, and all beguiled their labour with singing, chattiiig and
Jangbing together.

" Ah I happy credtnres," cried Amanda, "screened by your n»tlT«
hills, you know notliing of the vices or miseries of the great world :
no Buares lurk beneath the flowery paths yon tread, to wring your
hearts with anguish, and nip the early bloBsoms of your yonth."

TLe old miin apT>eiU'ed and interrupted her meditntioiia. When bo

f ou have reason, indeed, to regret jonr knowledge of Belgrave, but
Uie sorrow he has uccasiooed jod, I believe and trost, nill be but
ironsieDt: Uml which lie liiu gireamewill be as kKling as mji life:
fou look astoaiebed: — alas! but for liira, I might now have beoo
blest with a daughter aa iovolj and as amiable as Fitzalan's. I see
joQ are too delicate to eipre«a ths curiosity 1117 words have iiiEpired
but I sliail not hesitate to gratify it; mj relation will draw the tcAT
of pity from yonr oye: bnt tJieaorrowa of others often recoouile ua to

CIIAFTER SXXI.

ID whflcalnc tpin,

OoLLa*! Ona

Ma^y jears are now elapsed since I t«ok up my residence in this
leqneatered hamlet. I retired to it io distaste with a world, whitse
vicea had robbed me of the dearest treasure of my heart. Two diild-
ren cheered my soiitude, and in training them np to virtne, I lost the
remembrance of half my cares. Ify son, when qaalified, was sent to
Oxford, us a friend had promised to provide for him in the church;
hut ray danghter was destined to retirement, not only from the nar-
rowness of my income, but from a thorough conviction it was beat
calculated to ensure tier felicity. Juliana was the child of innocence
and content, she knew of do greater happiness than tiiat of promoting
mine ; of no pleasurea but what the hamlet conld afford, and was one
of the gayest as well aa the loveliest of its daughtets. One fata]
evening I soSered her to go, with some of her young companiong, to
a rustic ball, pven by the parents of Bdgrave, to their tenants, on
coming down to Woodhooae, fh>m which they had been long absent.
The graces of my child immediately attracted the notice of liieir son :
though yoong in yearn, he was already a profeet libertine; the oondncl
at hlafiitherhadset him an eiampleofdissipation, which the voUtUitj

tU CRiLDRZK or mm aibbt.

of his own dispodtion too readily iaeliaed him to Iblloir. HIi hiMt
burned iatelj conceived the basest acliemes ■gsiost Jnlionm, whieh tnt
obacnritj uf her situation prompted him to thluk might ItmSlj W
kCGOmpUEhcd,

From Ibis period he took erery opportonitj of throwing hfanMH
in her way; m; Buspiciona, or nther my fbars were Boon exdted, br
I knew not t]ien Che real depraritj of Belgr&Tfl ; but I Imew that n
sttAchment between him and mj daughter would prove • lOiaM of
uneasiness to both, from the disparity fortnna had plaoed t
tnem. Uj task of convincicig Juliana of the improinietyof cf
ing such an attachment, was not a difficult one ; hot alai 1 I aaw tlM
conTiction was attended with a pang of angoiah, which pierced m* to
ihe sooL

Belgrave, from the assumed softness and delicacy of his mwmen, bad
made an impression on her heart, which waa not to be erased ; bywj
efTort, however, which prudence could snggest, ahe resolved to matka^
and in compliance with my wishes, avoided Belgrava. This o
toon convinced him that it would be a difBcolt matter to Inll my o

0B1LDRB.N or TUE ABUBI'. 317

tor come tiuie, unable to attend to hia raptures. WLon aLe grew com-
posed, he told her lie was rcturued to tmtke her liooouroUly Lis; but
to effect tbiB intention, ajourne; from tlie hamlet was requisite,

Slie torned pnie at tlieso wor<)fl, and dedared she never would coa ■
lent to s clandestine measure.

Tliis declaration did not discoarnge BelgniTe; lie knew the Inter-
est he liud in her lieart, and tliis knowludge gave an enen^ to hia
arguments, which gradually' undermined the resolution of Jidiana.
Alread}r, he said, alio biid made a snfficient sacrifice to filial Halj;
surely something was now due to love like his, which, on her account,
wonld cheerfully submit to ionnmerable difficnlties. As she was
under age, a journey to Scotlaad was unavoiduble, he said, and he
would have made me liis confidant on the occasion, bnt that he
feared my scmpnlons delicacy would have opposed his intentions, oa
contrary to parental authority. He promised Jullaua to bring her
back to the hamlet immediately after the ceremony; in short, the
pUuBibility of his arguments, the tenderness of his persuBsions, and
the secret impulses of her heart, at lost prodnced tlie effect he wished,
and he received a promise from her, to put herself nuder his pro-
tection ttiat very night,

Dut oh I bow impossible to describe my ogoniej the enaJng
morning, when, instead of my cliild, I foand a letter in her room,
inforuiiue me of her elopement; tlioy were snch as a parent irem-
bling for the fame and happiness of his rjhild, may conceive; mj
aenaea must have sunk beneath them., had Uiey long cootiaued; but
Belgrave, according to his promise, hastened back my child, and aa 1
•at solitary and pensive in the aparticent she so oAen had enlivened,
I laddeoty beheld her at my feet, anppoited by Belgrave as his wife.
8a great a transition from despair to comfort, was almost too fiower-
Ail for me to support. 1 asked my heart, woa lla present happineai
real; I knelt, I received my child in my arms; in tliose feeble arras
I seemed to raise her with my heart to henvcn in pions gratitude, fbr
her rotoniing nnsnllied. Tet when my first tmnaports wor< nliatod,
I could nut help regrelting her ever having oiiiKentod to a clandca-
tioe nuiun. I entreated Belgravo tc write in the moat submitt'ive
manner to his father. He promised to comply with my entreaty, yel
lilDl«d his fears, that his compliance would be uQattcoded witli Iht
MflNiat I hojied. Ho ri>queated, if this shoiiM lie i.hc i-aiie, I wcnld

I

I

I

sit caiLOBBH or ths ASBitr.

allow hia wife to reside in the oottage till be was of age. Olil how
pledging s request to :jij heart; a raontti paaaed away iu happioeiB,
only allayed by not hearing from his father. At the expiration at
tliat Ihne, he declared be mast depart, having received orders to Join
Ilia regiment, but promised to retorn oa soon as possible; he «
pronii^ied to write, but a fortnight ela[>aed, and do letter arrived.

Juliana and I grew alarmed, hut it was an alarm that only pn>-
eeedcd from fears of his being ill. We were flitting one moroiiig >
U'ealifast, when the stopping of a carriBge drew ub from the table.

tie is cornel said Juliana, be is cornel and she flew to open
tlie door, when, instead of her expected Belgravo, she beheld hia
father, whose dark and haughty visage procjaitned that he came oa
no charitable intent. Alas! the occasion of his visit was too soon
explained ; he oame to have the tics, which bound hia sod to Joliam,
brrikea. My child, on hearing this, with firmness declared, that sli«
was convinced any scheme hia cruelty might devise to separate tliem,
the integrity, as weU as tenderness of his son, would render sbortiTe.

Be not too confident of that, yonng lady, orted he, Broiling
maliciously. lie then proceeded to inform her, that Belgrave, so
beiored, and ia whose integrity she so confided, had himself anUior-
iiti his intentions, being determined to avail liimself of Don-ago, to
have the marriage brote,

Jnliana ooidd bear no more: aha annk fainting on the bosom of bar
wretched father. Oh I what a situation was mine, when, as I cIbi|
her wildly to my heart, and called upon her to revive, tiiat heart
whimpered me, it was cruelty to wish she shouldl Alas] too m
she did, to a keen perception of misery. T)je marriage was dissolved,
and health and happiness fled from her togcUier: yet, from compw-
eion to me, I saw she stniggted to support the burthen of existence
Every remedy which had a chance of ]iruloDgiog it, I administertd;
but aIbs I sorrow was routed in her heart, and it -wee only removal,
which was impossible, that conld heve directed her recovery. OhI
how often have I stolen from ray bod to the door of her apartment,
trembling, Icat I should hear the lost groan escape her lips I how often
have I tlion heard her deep convu'^vo sobs, and reproached myself
for seilishnesa at the moment, for wishing the cnntinnance of Itei
being, winch waa only wisJiing the oontinuanoe of tier misery! Yea,
I hare then said, I resign her, my Orentor, nnto Ihee : I resign b

1b>ui & certainty that only wiili tliee she can eujoj frlicily. Bnt
"sTasI 'mainnmcnt fniil naturtj has triumiihetl over such a resiguation,
•ind prostrnte u;ran the gruand I have implored heaven eitUer to span
the oLil<l, or take the father along with her.

She saw me imiistial'.T deprest nne ilay, and proposed a walk, with
the hope that any excision from lier might recruit mj8]'irita: but
when I saw my child in the very Uuom of life, unable to sostcua her
foelilo frame : when I felt lier leaning on my almost ncrveidsi arm for
Gnppurt, oh ! how intolerable wiu tlie aogaish that rived my heart I
In vain by soft endearments, she alrove to mitigate if. She motioned
ta go towardi Woodboiue; we bad got within sight of ttie wood,
nlien slie complained of faligae, and sat domi. She had not been
many mill u tea in thia situation, -when she beheld oomiiig from the
wood, Uulgrave aai a young girl she knew to be the steword'a
dang)it«r. The familiar manner in whiah they appeared converaing,
left little room to doubt of the footing on wliitih they were. The
hectic glow of^aliana'a complexion, gave place to a deadly puleneaa:
)he arose and returned with me in ailenoe to the cottage, Irom
whenue, in lese than a week, she was borne to her grave.

Eight years, continued he, after a pause of some minutes, have
eJ&pacd since her death, yet is her worth, her beauty, and her suffer-
tngs Btill fresh in the remembrance of the inhabitants of the haml«L
In mine, oh! Misa Fitialan, how painfully, how pleasingly, do they
ttJU exist; no noisome weed is allowed to intonnin^le in the high
I *^^rasti which has overgrown her grave, at the head of which soma
i* kind hand has planted a rose tree, whose roses blossom, bloom, and
ile upon the sacred spot. Uy child is gone before me to that earthly
o which I hoped she would have smoothed my passage. Every
in and about the cottage, continually recalls her to ray view:
B cmoraenta of this little room, were ail the work of that band,
e mouldered into dnst : in that bed — he stopped, he gronned,
Md tears burst from him — in that bad, resumed he, (in a low
krinntea, tbough with a broken voice) she breathed lier laat sigh ; in
.t spot I knelt wkI recvived the lo-it pressure of her clay cold lipa.
I night when nil is hashed to repose, I love to contemplate
that heaven, to which 1 have given bu angel r an angel to wliom, T
>, ahorUy to be reunited : without such a hope, surely of all men
Wlhing, I sbonid be tlie nioBl wretched : oh. how cruel is it t!i*u

9S0 CHILDHKir OF TBI ABSBT.

In ttiose who, hy raining ilonbts of ftti hercnncr, attempt to dcatroj
aiicb a liojie. Yo soiis of error, lii Jo the iiii|iiou« duulilit witJitn jour
hearts, nor wiili wanton barbarity endeavour to deprive ilie muer^le
uf tbeir lust cuinfort : wbcn tliis worlil pre-^ciits nutbing but a drearj
]irospeet, liow ebeering to tbe afflicted to reflect in t'lat flitnra one,
wliere all will bo briglit and bappy. — 'Wben wo mourn over tlie lost
friends of our tenderest alTuctions, obi bow consolatory to think wa
■liall be re-unitcd to tliem again ; bow often lias tliis thoaght
luspendcd my tears and stopped my sigtiB; inspired by it with
eudJen Joy, often Lave I risen from tbe cold bed wbere Juliana liea,
and esclaiined, "O death, ivliere is thy stingi 0 grave, where i* thy
victory {" botli lost in the certainty of again beliolding n)y child.

Amanda lihed tear:^ of soft eompiUision fur tlie fate of Juliana, umI
the siirniivs of ber father, and felt if i>ossib]e, her gratitude to he»TMi
incri'ascd, for preserving her fjuni t!ic liuarcs of snch ■ monster of
deceit and biirbmity as Beigra^e.

Iliiu't^ll rtUevcd the nnxicty ehe laboured under about the means of
retiirriini- Iiouil', by assnrinf; her be would not only supply her with ■

SSI

■ The grave was ilii^tioguiBbed by the rose tree U ila hen<] : tbe
Kniing breeie gentif ngiuted tlio higli and liixuriaQt grass vhich
Wwed it. Amanda gazed on it with ineipressible udnoss, but do
Botjona it ucit«d in ber breast, she endesToiircd Lo ctieck in {dtjr
D the wretched father, wb<i eiclaiuted, while tears tricbled down his

e and furrowed cheelM, "there lies my tressare."
. Sbo tried to divert hiin ^om hia sorrow, by talking ot his sou.
IfijBha described hia Lttle reai<I«nce, whicii he bad uever seeu . thui, by
.:f«ciUliQK to bis reoollecIJoti tbe blesaings he yet possessed, cheoking
his angnisb for those be bad lost.

The weakness of AmiLodn wonld not allow them to travel expedi-
tionsly. They slept one night on the road, and the next day, to hei
great joy, arrived at Park Gate, as ube had all along (treaded a pur-
suit from Belgrave. A packet was to siul about four o'clock in the,
afternoon ; she partook of a slight repaet with her beuevolei'.'. friond,
who attended her to the boat, and with storting tears, gave and
received an adien. She promised to write as eoou as s'.ie reached
home, and assured him hia kindness would never be obliterated from
her hesn. Ue watched her tjll she entered the ship, then rcturnei]
U> Uie iuD, and immediately set off for the handet, with a mind some-
what oheered by the oonsciousness of having served a felli>-y erta- .
tore.

CHAPTER SXXn.

Tliv hnaj emU of tnocoBe breftUtlDfl moi

K weakness which Amanda felt in cooaequenpc of her Utu illiipss.

.end the excessive sickness she always suffered at sea, made her retire

.40 bed immediately on entering the packet, where she conlinaed till

ii evening of tbe second day, when about Are o'clock she was

f i^dtnl at the mariue hotel. Bbe directly requested tlie waiter u

T tn go into town, whii-h being done Klie imtI

to engage a plaw in the nortliem mail coach, Ihat went williin Htw
miles (if Caiitle Ciirberry. If a place could uot be procared, sha
ordered a chaise night be bireil, that would imniediatelT set unt wrth
her, as tbe nights were moon-light, hut to her grent joy the man
epeedilj retomed, and informed her he had secured a seat Id tbe
coach, whicli «he thouglit a niuoh safer mode of travelling for her,
thin in a hired carriage, without an; attendnnt. — She took Mnne
ii'ijht refreshment, and tlien proceeded to the mail hotel, from whenot,
at elfcven I'cltck, she set ont, in compnnj- with one old genlleman,
■who very composedly put on a largo woolen night cap, buttoned op
hia gfeat coat, and full into S profound sleep ; lie was, perhnp*, juat
■acl) a hind of companion as Amanda desired, as be neither tcazed
her with insipid conversation, or impertinent questions, but loft her
nndisturjed to indulge her meditations during the journey. The
aeconl ^vining, about eight o'clock, she arrived at the nearest tows
to Cistli noi'borry, for which slie directly procured a chaise, and wt
off.

Ber epir.ts were painfull; agitated: she dreaded the shock her
father wjuld receive from heoring of her fiulTeringa, which it wonld
be impossible to conceal from him ; she trembled at what they would
both !bi\ on the ap|)n>acliing interview : sometimes she feared he bod
already .loard of her distress, and a gloomy presage rose in her mind,
of the anguish she shonld find him in on her account: yet again,
when she reflected on the fortitude he had hitherto displayed In hi*
trials, under the present, she trusted, he would not lose it; and that
he wonld not only support himself^ but her, and bind up those
wounds in her heart, which perfidy, cruelly, and ingratitade had
made. And oh ! thought slie to herself, when 1 find myself again in
his arms, no temptation sliall allure m" *rom them ; allure me into a
world, wliere my peaoo and fame hove alreadf suffered such a wreck.
Thus nllema'e'y fitietnnting between hope and fear, Amanda pnrsued
tlie rood to Castle Carberry ; but the btt-ir sensation was predominaul
In her mind.

Ttie imcommon gloominess of tlie orening added to her d^eotton ,
the dark ^ud lowering clonds threatened a violent stomt; already a
djower of sleet and rain waa falling, and every thing looked cold nud
peerless. Amanda thought the cabins infinitely more wretched than
(Then fhr had first eeen litem: many of ihcir miserable inbabitmta

i yrtre now gathering their tittle fiucka together, and driving tiiem

L^^der shelter from the coming atorni. The labourers were de«n ha;:-

ning to their respective homes, whilst the jilongh-boy, with ft low

lod melancholy whistle, drove his slow and wearied tenm along,

JiTliBsea looked rongh and blnoli, and as Amanda drew nearer to 11,

e heard it breaking with fory against the rocks.

She fdt herself extremely ill : she had left the hamlet ere lier fever

s Buhdued, and fatigue, joined to wont of rest, now brought il

ftlback with all its fomier violence. She longed for rest and qniet, and

fa^uted aod believed these wonld conquer her malady.

The chsiiw atopped at the entrance of tiie lawn, as she wished to
have her father pretiared for her arrival, by one of the servants. On
■lighting from it, it retnmed to town, and she atrack into a grove,
aod b; a winding path reached the coatle. Her limbs trembled, and
she knocked with nn unsteady hand at the door. The sound was
Bwfullj rererbernted through the building: some minates elapsed,
and no being appeared; neither coold she perceive a ray of light
from any of tlie windows; tbo wind blew the rain directly in her
face, and her weakness increased eo she conld scarcely stand. 5he
recollected a small door at the bock of the castle, which led to the
apartments appropriated to the domestics; she walked feebly to tliis,
to try and gain admittance, and found it ojica. She proceeded
through a long, dark passage, on each side of which were small
rooms, tili she csme to the kitchen ; here she found the old woman
sitting (to whom tlie core of the castle was usually consigned), befbre
a large turf fire. On hearing a footstep, elie looked behind, and when
fke saw Amanda, started, screamed, and betrayed symptoniB of the
utmost terror.

" Are you frightened at seeing me, my good Kate t" cried Amanda.
"Oh holy virpn," replied Kate, crossing her breast, "one cuuld
I jot help being frightened, to have a body steal nnawarea upon them."
" My father is well, I hope ?" said Amanda.
" Alack-a-day," cried Eate, " the poor dear captain has gone
F ttiroiigh a sea of troubles since yon went away."
" Is he ill !" encloimed Amanda,

" m, ay, and the Lord knows he has reason enough to be ill. Bat
f jpy dear jewel, do you know nothing at all of what has liappenod at
[ fte Oftstle sicce yon wont away ?"

IM IIILHIII OI III A.»M>

** No, nothing in the world."

" HeoveQ help you Uien," suid Kate ; " but mj dew winl, »it down
DpoD tliis little stool, And wami joureelf before the fire, for yoa look
pale Eud cold, and I will tell joq ai! obont it. Yon must know,
sboaC three weeke ago my JuboateD broD(;ht the cnptain a letter from
the pofit-offico ; he knew by the niork it was a letter from SngiMii] ;
and »o when he comes ioto the kitclion to me, Kate, says he, th»
Ntptain has got Gomethiag now to cheer his spirits, for he has heard
from Miss I am stire. So to be »iire I said I was glad of it, for yon
mnst know, my dear, he wm in low spirits, and peaking, as one maj
•ay, for a few days before. TV ell, it was always my custom when he
got a letter from England, to go to him as &oon as I thonght he had
read it, and adc about yua ; so I put on a dean apron, and np I goM
to the parloar, and opened the door atid walked iu. ' Welt air,' mji
I, ' 1 hope there is good now* from Miss V

" Tlie captain was sitting with the letter opoD before turn on tb»
table ; he had a handkercl'ief to his eyes, hut when I spoke lie took
it down, sod I saw his face, which generally looked so pale, now
quite till!

wen ^t tlien

CU t LDRS »

«M

giving them both characters, which I warrant will
od places ng^n. Well, he said he inusl eet off for
t day, so everj thing was got read;; but io the
middle of the night he was seized with apBeme in hla atoniaoh ; be
;|faouglit himseif djing, and at la.'-t rung the bell, aad as good lack
nrouiJ have it, m^ Johnnten beard it, and went up to him directl; ;
tl^^ ji been withoot relief much longer, 1 think he would have died.
JoUcatcn called me up ; I hod a choice bottle of old brandy lying by
me, so 1 BDOD blew up a Sre, and heating a cup of it, gave it to him
diieoily. Ue grew a little ea^er, but was (oo bad id the moniing to
thmk of going on Lis Journey, which grieved him sadly. He got up,
ha'flever, and wrote a large pacquet, which he sent by Johnatea to
the t>ost-office; pnclied np aome tilings in a trunk and put bis m«I
Dpon bis desk; be «aid be would not eiay in Uie castle npon any
account, bo he went out as soon as Johiiaten came bock Oom the poat-
office, leaning upon his arm, and got a little lodging at Thady Bryue'a

"Merciful baavenl" exclaimed the agonized and almost faiuting
Amanda, ''support and strengtlieu me in this trying hourl enable ma
to comfort my anfortanate father; preserve me from sinking, that I
may endeavour to assist bim." Tears accoinjianied this fervent ^aou-
tioa, and her voice was lost in sobs.

" Alack-a-day," said the good uatursd Kate, " now don't take it so
aadly to heart, my jewel; all is not lost that is in danger, and thera
ia aa good &^ in the sea as ever were caught ; and what though tbia
is a stormy night, to-morrow may be a line day. Wby the very firat
sight of you will do the captain good. Come dieer up, 1 will gn^A
you some nice hot jiotatoes for your supper, tor yon see the pot is Jaat
boiUng, and some fresh cliurued bntter-milk, and by the Ume you
have eaten it, Johnaten perhaps may come back ; hu bos gone b>
town to get some beef for onr Sunday dinner, and then I will go with
you to fhody's myself."

"Ko, no," cried Amanda, "every minute I now stay from luy
fikiher seems an age: too long lias he been neglected: too long
without a friend to sootli or attend hira. Oh grant, gracioua hearen,
grant," raising her clasped bauds, " that 1 may not have returned Ljo
IaL« to l>e of use to him."

Kate prL-st her to «tRt for Jobnal«n's return; but the agnnj of

OBILDKIH D

e ecidared till she eaw her father, made her regftrdlcniC
walking nloDe, though the hoar was late, d&rk and tcuipestcoiA
£r>te lindiog her entreatiea vain, attended her to the door, aB»iiiriiig
ber if Johnsteu returued soon, tihe would go over herself to the caluu,
ud Bee if she oonld do luijthiiig for her. Amanda preat her hand,
but was nnabje to Bpeak. Ill, weak, aod dispirited, she had flatiereit
herself, on returning to her father, ahe should receive relief, buppott,
ud oousoktion: in!«C«ad of whiclj, heart-brukui as she was, ehenuir
fooDd she must give, or at least attempt giving them herself. Sho
had before experieoued distrea?, but the actual pressure of poverty
■be had never yet felt. Heretofore she ha>t alwa;?s a iMinfnttttUt
Mylum to re[)air to, but now she not only found herself deprived of
that, but of all means of procuring one, or even the ueoessariea of Ufa.
But if she mourned for herself, how much more severely did iba
mourn for her adored fktlierl Gould she have procured bim oomfortt
could she in any degree have alleviated bis situation, the liorrora of
her own would have becu lessened : but of this she had not tbo
Hllgbtest means or prospect. Her father, she knew, posseaiwd tho
I aliort a time, to be enabled to save any money. partioulariT

otiiLDiiKS or riiK Annicr. »27

Treltb',^ u it wa«, she was glad wheu she readied it, fiir the vioIeiicM
of t'.e ,*ti>nii, cfi llie lnuelineas of th« road, Lad terrified bar. Th«
coliio was but a few jarda from the beach i tliere ware two wi&dowa
in twat; OD one side a pile of turf, and on ttie otber a eiied for tJia
pi)^ ill trliioli ttie^ now Iny gmnting: the Bhatters were fiutaned OC
tie windows to prevent tlieir being aiiakoD b; die wind; but throngh
the crevicea Anintida saw light, which consineed her the inliabitanta
were not jet retired to repose. She feared her Buddenly appearing
t>fore her father, iu hie present weak »tHte, might liaro s dangiorona
effect npon biio, and she stood before the cabin, considering how she
fh'-ild have her arrival broke to him. Slie at laat tapped gentlj at
the dour, and then retreated a few steps from it, shivering with the
vet and cold: iu the beautifnl language of Solomon she might have
aiud, " her head was filled with dew, and her locks with the drops of
the night." A» she expected, the door was almoat instantly opened;
a boy appeared, whom she know to be son to the pour people. Bha
held iif her liandkcrdiief, and beckoned him to her ; !ie hesitated as If
afraid to advnnce, till nbe called hiin softlj b; his name ; this assured
him ; he approached and expressed astonishment at finding she wei
the person who called him. She inquired for her father, and heard
he was ill, and then asleeji. She desired the htij to enter the cabin
before her, and cantion his parents against making any noise that
might disturb him; he obeyed her, and she followed hirn.
■ She lonnd tlie father of the family blowing a tnrf fire, to hasten

e boiling of a large pot of potatoes. Three ragged children were
letting before it, watching impatiently for their supper. The mother
^■B spinning, and their old grandmother making bread. The plaoe

IS small and crowded : half tlie family slept below, and the other
lialf up aloft, to which they ascended by a ladder, and upon which e
Vtmber of fowls were now tamiliurly roosting, cnckling at every
ItolM made below. Fitzolan's room was divided tVom tl;e rest of the
D by a thia partition of wood, plastered with pictaree of suntd

aid the 1

IS of the n

' "Save yon kindly, madain," i
Iftmaada, on entering it.

Bryoa gut Dp, and with many iicrapea, offered her his little slouJ
^Jlfore tlie fire. She thanked him, and accepted it; bis wife, nut.
Wthitaadlng the obligaljuni ahe lay imder to her, saemnd tn think as

niQcb reep«ct was not dne to her as wtien nuKtrcas of th« rjudt, i
UiensTcire nevor left her seat, or quitted her spinning, on her enttatioft.

■' My poor father is very ill," said Amanda,

" Wbj, indeed the captain hts hatl a bad time of it," onawod
Mrs, Bryoe, jogging her wheel ; " to be sure Lo Uaa eaSeraX some lit
tie change; but your great fulka, as well oa your simple Tolka, mMt
iook to that in Ihig world; and 1 dim't know why they should c}\
for they are do better than the othera, I believe,"

" Arra, Norah, now," said Bryne, "I wonder yon are not shy ri
ipeoting 80 to the poor yonng lady,"

Amanda's heart was surcharged with grief; she fi-lt mfibcating;
■he arose, nnlatched the door, and the keen oold air a Uttle revived hw.
Toara burat forth : she indulged them freely, and they lightvned thj
load on her heart. She asked for a glass of water : a glass was not
reaililT to be procured. Bryne told har she had better take a noggit
of butter-milk. This she refused, and he brought her one

She now conquered the reluctance she felt to speak to tha nniiu
Ifra, Bryne, and consujted her on the html method of lueutiuQing her
arrival to her father, Mrs. Bryne said he had been in bed sometime,
but hi« sleep was on«n interropted, and she would now step into
chamber, and try if he was awake; she accordingly did so, but
returned in a moment, and said he iilill ulept.

Amondn wished to see him in his present situation, to Judge how
iar bis illness had aflbcted bim ; she stepped ttoiUy into his ronai
was small and low, lighted by a glimmering rush-light, and a ileclin-
ing fire. The forniture was poor and scanty, in one oomer stood a
wooden bedstead, viithoQt ourlaiiis or any shade, and un this, uodar
susersble bed-cluthes, lay poor Fitxalan.

Amanda ahaddered aa she looked roimd this chamber of wi etched*
ness. " Oh, my fatiier," she cried to herself, " b this the only refiige
you could findt" She want to the bed, she leaned over it, and
beheld hia face ; it was deadly pale and emoriated ; he mooned in
klee]), aa if his mind was dreadfnily o[ipressed. Suddenly he began ia
move; he sighed — "Amanda, my dearest child, shall 1 never mure
behold you?"

Amanda was obli^ to hssten &om the room, to give vent to hat
Mnotiooa ; she sobhed, «he wrung bcr bnnds, and in tl e billemcM of

ridb

l%iBr!ViQl eicliumed, "AUsl Bias] I have returned too late to m

I

■ T1]e7 soon after heard him stir. She requested Mrs. Brjne to go
H Nb, uid oauiioiislj infonn him she was come. She cunipUed, and in
H % moment Amanda heard him saj, "Thank heaven, my dai'ling b
^ ■*«nnied."

" Yun may now go in, Miss," swd Mrs. Brjne, coming from the

Amaada went in : lier Tatber was raised in the bed ; his arms wero
eitenilfcd to receive her; slie threw herself into them; langnage waa
denied them both, but tears, aveu more expresaive than worda,
evinced their feelings. Fitzalan lirst recovered his voice. "My
prayer," e^d be, is granted; heaven has restored m; child, to
smooth the pillow of sickneKS, and aooth the lost nomenta of exist-
ence."

"Oh, my father," cried Amanda, "have pity on me, and mention
not those moments; exert yonrself for your child, who, in this wide
world, ha9 she bnt thee to comfort, SDpport, and beirieDd ber?"
"Indeed," said he, "for yonrsake I wish tliey may be far distant."
He held her at a little distance from bim; he snrveyed her face,
her form; her altered complexion, her fallen features, appeiired to
■hock him; he clasped her again to bis bosom. "The world, my
ehild, I fear," cried he, " baa nsed tbee most unkindly."

"Oh I most omelly," sobbed Amanda.

' "Then, my girl, let the rofiection of that world, where innocenoe

Tirtue will meet a proper reward, console yon ; — here they are

n permitted to be tried; but as gold is tried and pnrilied by fire,

b tn they hy adversity. Those whom God loves he chaatises. — Let

a Idea give you patience and fortitade, ander every trial; never

a your dependence on him, though calamity should pursue yon

b the very brink of the grave ; but bo comforted by the assuraiioe he

B given, that those who meekly bear the cross he lays upon them

U be rewarded : that be will wipe away all tears from their eyee,

bd swallow np death in victory.

"Tliough a soldier fkim my yonth, and accustomed to all the liiei>

3 of oimpx, I never forgot my Creator, and I now find the

aflt of not having done so: now, when my friendB desert, the

ns npon me ; when sirkoess and sorrow have overwlielmed

390 CUILDKEN UP IBB ABBET.

me, reli^on stands me in good stood ; consolra me for wlibt I lost, mtt
0on«iui the remembrance of the past, by prcAentiug prosp^ts of tbtim
■brightness,"

Bo spoke Fitzolaa the piotu Benlimente of his soul, and thejcaJioed
the ogitAtioDS oi Amanda. Ue found her ulotbea were wet, and
insisted on her cliunging tliem diroctlj. la the bundle inc good
Eleanor gave her, was a change of linen and ft cotton wrapper, -which
she now put on, iu a small closet, or rather shed, ai^joluing her father's
room. A good fire waa made up, a lietter light bronght In, and mhoo
bread and wine Iroin a email cupboard in tlie room whiidt contained
Fituhiu's tilings, set before her, of-which he made her immedUtely
partake, tie tooic a glass of wine hitnself from her, and tried to oheer
her spirits. "Ua had been daily expecting her arrivul," UeAald, ''and
had had a pallet and bed clothes liept ^ring for her; im hoped she
v'onld nut be disBatislied with sleeping in tlie closet.

" Abl mj iiathor," Mho cried, "can jou ask yonr dnnghter such a
qnestion J" She expressed her fears of itguring liim by having du-
tarbed bi« repose. "No," hesajd, "it was a delightful intermption ;
it was a relief from pwn and anxiety."

Lord Oherbnry, he informed her, had written him a letter, whitih
pierced bim to the soul. "He accused me," said he, "of endearoar-
ing to promote a marriage betweien you and Lord Mortimer; of
treacherously trying to counteract his views, and take advantage of
his unsuspecting friendship. I wna shocked at tliese accusationn;
but how excruciating would my anguish have l>een, had I reaUj
diaerved them; I soon determined upon the conduct I shooid adopt,
whioli was to deny the justice of his oliarges and resign hia agency,
fur any farther dealings with a man, who could think me capable of
meanness or doplicity, was not to be thooght of. My accuuntd wera
always in a state to allow me to resign at a moment's warning. It
was my intention to go to England, put them into Lord Cherbary'a
hands, and take tny Amanda from a place where she might meet
with indignities, as little merited by her, as those her father had
received were by him. A Hodden and dj-eadful dinonJer, which I am
convinced tlie agitation of my niiud brought on, prevented my
executing thia intention. I wrote, however, to his lordsliip, arqnaint-
ilig him with my resignation of his agency, sad tronsmittitg my
srrears. I *ent • letter to you ri thu M-roe time, and a

OHiLDRBN or TJiic ADBsr. Sai

11 remiltonce, for your immediata retorn, and then retired Inna

» castle, for I felt a longer continuaDcw in it would dogrado we to

a diameter of a mean degtendant, imd intimated a lia|te of being

ostattid in mj former atation; wbicli, should Lord Cberbur; now

'. I slioutd r^eot, for ignoble roast be the mind wliioh could

'■ooept of favours from those who doubted its integritj. Agoinat

axvAi condiuit mj feelings revolt ; poverty to me, is more welcome

tliui indepeodence, when purchased with the low of Bell'-esteein,"

Ainanda perceived her father knew nothing of her auflerijigs, but
inppoaed her return occasioned by his letter; abe iJierefure resolved,
iJ' puseible, cot to undeceive bim, at leaat till his health was better.

The night was far advanced, and her father who saw her ill, and
■bnoat siidciog with tatigne, requested her to retire to reat; she
accordingly did. Qer bed was made up in the Utile closet; Mn.
firyne assisted her to undress, and brought her a bowl of whey,
which, she trusted, with a comfortable sleep, would carry off her
feverish symptoms, and enable her to be her fatlier's nurse, •

Her rest, however, was far from being comfortable ; it was brokeo

by horrid dreams, in which she beheld the pole and emaciated £gure

of her father, suffering Ibe most exquisite tortures ; and when she

started from these dreams, she heard hia deep moans, which were

like daggers going through her heart. She aroeo oDce or twice, snp-

pusing him in pain, but when she went U> his bed she found him

asle«p, and was convinced from that ciroumstonoe, bii pain was

more of the meatid than the bodily kind. She felt extremely ill ; ber

bonea were sore from the violent motion of the carriage, and she fiui*

oied rest would do her good ; hat when, towards morning, she wu

inclined to take some, she was oiitnpktely pi'event«d by the noise the

children mode on risitig. Fearful of negiootiug her lather, she arose

soon after herself; but was scarculy able to put ou her clothea from

_ AKCessive weakness. She found him in bed, but awake. He wel-

KMBatied her with a languid smile, and ertending hia hand, which was

J fctdnced to mere skin and bone, said, " that joy was a greater enemy

I repose than grief, aud had broken bis earlier tlian usual that

loming."

B W'H<^ mode her sit down by him; he g(wed on her with unutterable

B ^mderoCBS : " In divine tongaage," criti'] he, " I may say, kl one ser

"^.eoanlensnoe ; let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and

I

Uiy countenanoe ia oomelj, and my aonl baa ploa
(iQ it."

Tlie kettle was already boiling: he had prooorod a
for himseU^ encb as tea-thinga aod glares. Aniaiula placed the tea-
table by the bedside, and gavs bim bis brealdiuit. Whilst receiving
it from lier, his eyes were roiaed to beaven, as if iu thankful gratitods
fbr the tuestimable blessing be still posiiessed in snch a child. Aft«i
breakfuat be B»d he would rise, and Amanda reUred int« the gardei^
till be was dressed, if that could deserve tlie appellation, which -wn*
only a slip of ground, planted with cabbages aud potutoisa, and
enclosed with louse stones and blackberry bushes. The spring wai
already odvanced: the day was fine; the light aud fleecy clonds wer«
gradtuilly dispersing, and the aky, almost as far as the eye could
reach, was of a clear blue. The dusky groen of the blaokbeny
buehes was eulirened by the pole purple of their blossoms ; tufts of
primroses grew beneath their shelter; the fields, which ruse with k
gentle swell above the garden, were covered with a v
spangled with daisies, buttercups, and wild honey-suckles; and tha
trirds, as they flattered from spray to 8)>ray, with notes of ghkdnes^
liiuled the genial season.

But neither the season nor its cliarnis could now, as lieretofote,
deliglit Amanda; she felt forlorn and dittconsolate; deprived uf the
comforts of life, and no longer interested in tlie objects around bar,
Abe sat down upon a stone at the end of tlie garden, and she thought
the fresh breeze from the tea cooied the feverish heat of her blood.
" Alas I" she said to berBcIf^ " at this seusun last year, how different
was my situation from the present V Though not in affluence,
neither was she then in absolute distress; end she had, besides, tba
oomfurtalile hope of having her father's ditfii-ulties removed ; liks
Burns' mountain dusy, slie had then uheerfully glinted forth amidal
tlio Etorm, because she thought that storm would be o'lirbluwn; bat
now she saw herself on the point of being finally crushed Uenoath tbt
rude pressure of poverty.

She recollected the words whioh had escaped her when she laat
aaw Tndor Ilall, and she thought tbey were dictated by something
like a prophetio spirit. She bad then said, as she leaned upon a litU*
gate which looked into the domain, "when the^ woods again glow
with vegeiation ; when every shade reaounds with harmony, aniL tb«

CniLDRKX or THB ABKE«. 8^3

flowen and tbe bli>seom9 spread their foliaga to tlie bqd ah 1 ati,
nhcre will Amanda be? far distant, in all proliability, from these
deSightful shades; perhaps deserted and forgotten ly Ilicir master."

Slie was indeed tkr distant from them ; desertoc, 3Ld if not f»r)^t-
tea, at least only remembered with contempt b^ the^r inastep!
remembered iritli contempt bjr Lord Mortimer. It was on id«
of intulemble anguish ; his name was no more repeatijd as a clianii
to eootlie hor grief; this idea increaaod her misery.

She orntiDued indulging her melancholy meditation?, till informed
by cue of the children the captain was ready to receive her. She
b&Btenod in, and foond him in na old high-backed choir, and the
ravages of care and ticknesa were now more visible to her tlian tbi^
hod beet the night before ; be was redaccd to a mere skeleton; "lbs
Or^na! brightness of his form" was quite gone, and be EeetiMtd
already on tlie very brink of the grave. The agony of Amanda's
filings was expressed on her conntenance; be perceived and guessed
its source. He eudaavonred to compose and comfort Iter, She lueii-
tJoned a physician; he tried to dissuade her from the idea of bring-
ing one, but she besought bim, in compassion to ber, to consent, and,
overcome by her earnestness, he at last promised tlie ensuing day she
should do as she wished.

It was now Sunday, and ho desired the service of the day to bo
read. A small bible lay on the tabic before him, and Amanda com-
plied with bis desire. In tbe Britl lesson were these words : " Leave
thy fatherless children to me, nnd I will be their father." The teara
gushed tVont Fitialan ; he laid his hand, which appeared convulsed
with aptalion, on the book. " Oh I what words of comfort," cried
he, "are these; what transfKirt do they convey to tbe heart of a
parent burthened wilh aniiety 1 Yes, merciful Power I will, with
grateful joy, commit my children to thy care, for thou art the friend
who wilt never forsake them." He desired Amanda to proceed; ber
voice was weak and broken, and the tears, in spite of her effoits to
reitirain them, stole down her uheoka.

When she hnd condi'dcd, ber father drew towards him, and
Inquired into all that h(d past daring her sla? in Londi-n. She rein-
:°d tL' CIm, witliout reserve, <Jie variocs ?nuidunta slia bjd Titec with
previous toiler going to tbe inorobionesi'B: acknowledged the hopet
acd fears sheexperienoed on Lord Mortimer's account : nud die argn

•««

BUQls hi had made nne of to indnoe her to a clsruleitfine nnio» irltti
her positive refusal ,0 such & step.

A beajn of pluajQro illaijuned the pallid face of Htxalnn "yJ3
acted," eajd he, " aa I expected, and I glory iu jnj :Jiil<], snd feet
more indignation than ever agaiuat Lord Oherbury fur iiia mean eob-
l^dons." — Amanda vas convinced those auipicions bad been infuseil
into his mind \>j those who had struck aX her peace and &me. Tbia
idea, however, as well as their injuries to her, she meant if jioesiblet
to oonceaL — When her &tber, therefore, desired berto proowd in he
narratiTe, her voice began to falter, her mind became distoriied, vid
her coQUtenance betrayed her agitation. The remembrance of tlw
droulM «oene8 she had gone tliruugb at the mnrchiouess'j ruade ber
Involuntarily Rhudder, and she wished to conceal them forever from
ber fattier, but found it impoijsible to evade his minute and uomrH

" Gracious heaven," aaid he, on hearing Ihem, "what complicated
cruelty and deceit 1 inliuman monatere! 10 have no pily on one
M yoQng, au innoeenl, ao hopeless; tlie hand of sorrow baa indeed
preat heavy on Iliee, my child ; but after the marohioness'a former
conduct, I caimot be aurpriaed at any action of hers."

no gave her a note to discbarge her debt to Ilowell, and bc^ed
■he would immediately write, and return his graCefnlacknowldganients
fbr Ilia benevolence. — She feared he inconvenienced himself l>y parting
with tbe note, but he assured her he could apare it extremely well,
M he had been an economist, and had still sufBdent money to support
lis longer in their present situation,
aqnired when he had heard from her brother: ilie
^wored her last letter, aud that his sileoce bod m*da

iicl.iimed Fit7.alan, "he has n<

them a few montl

Amanda now ii
i^d he had not ai
her very uneasy.

" Alas, poor Oscar 1 " .
from Ilia portion of disi]

He took a letter, aa he spoke, from his pooketr-book, and presented
it to Amanda. Sli ■ opened it with a trembling hand, and read aa
follows :
Mt Du* rinn.

: been pxompC

femvUColo

■J .-dgr

to, APIIIH

rferen

olLed bl> 1

.<>■

IcDcE ud malignll;; n

cUIkt tiUw

rda nn looki ircn beinble. ind I w

w

unidw

lh-d(.;htd

'p

mUHIULHOM

ued, «n

mrm

klD(ll,bulFU>lol.b]lddcdn:j

eeeoo. and

II.

jkUllDg lO 1U

UBlly hL>

an had long dedrwl, o[ nrkini 0.7 n

bj

I,l.ort«.pul

nderan

A cDun isuuii iTH bdd, uiii

nebrolu

rnr

dl.r«|>«LU.

.uperlo

DBcui ba

a Uti>K>t>Ed hj Ibe wtolit Mipi

I Auuldb

brtBwwreil.

I.howe

»ct. Know 10

be tbc cue : t>

luinhelrlm

nphin

h* dfttrtM be hu noKd. bj w

I

IwTe »tr«dT "iMol ™

Uk eoame

•h>U

e.r«>I«f

laU

ham 4>lii«l 1117 nuiie

kluidam. For(ln

ua. Dij dear 8lr, IDr nat eoDi

Ulogyean

da-

lr««dlf

dM,

Wptcfeo

»>

or leid 7en 1

dlotnu

joancUo

CDOuol; ud U Uilak Uial fon

iTedof

lticm>Mt«

by my UKaaa. *auU be a Kurc

sriDlDlera

»VU>.i,loB..

Heit u I UD -nh

routt.

be.llh.a>:.dronllnda. IhaTe

edDuMtn

irvU-

oU|h Ih. n.

gKcd pulh of 1«» eltromd^ well. A

IHTtlnETlei

I

ide, 1 fut^thln ipjeelf joui aAcUoiu

This letter waa a crnnl shock to AmanJa; she bojwd ti> have pro-
cured lier broth«r'>« company, and tliat ber father's inelanohol.y aiA
lier own would have been al]e«ial«d by it. Seiuible of the difliGnltiGa
Obcv mnst andeTgo, without friends or fortune, the teat's stolu down
her cheeks, and she almost dreaded alie shoald no more behold fiixn.

lier lather beaooglit her to spare him the misery of Moing those
tears; he leaned npoii her for comfort sod support, he aiud. aiul Ind
her not disappoint bim. She hastily wiped awa; her tears: uid
though ahe could not conquer, tried to fupprese her angniah.

Johnaten and Kale coUed in the course of the da}', la know if tlioy
could be of any service to FitaUan. — Aninndn engaged Johnnteii tc
go to town the next morning for a pbysiciatL, and gave Kat« the Itey
of a wardrobe, where s)ie had left some things, which she doaireu hei
lo pack D]), and send to the asMu in the evening. Urs. Bt7ne gavt
ibem one of ber fowls f'lr 'tinner, and Fitzalan atanmed an aproar-

91<

ftooe of cheerfulDess, and the ereuiug wore nn-ay somewliot botU^
than tbc precediog ]iart of the day bad done.

JohaatDu woa ]>ui><:tLiBl io ubeyisR Amanda's ooinm&ads, and
brongtit a pbysiuian the oext morDlng to tbe cabin. Fit^olun Bi>peiLr>
ed mucli woree, aiid Amanda rejoiced that uLe had beca riuolnte
ID procuring bita advice,

6be witlidrew from the room good after the pbj'aiciao tad entered
it, aud waiud without ia trembling onxiely for hi* apiiearanoe.

WIieQ be came out, she asked, with a faltering voloe his opinion,
and besoQght him not to deceive her, from pity to her feelings.

He shook Uis bead, and assured her he would not deviate from
trnth for the world. "Tbe captain nas, indeed, in a tii^iah sitna-
tiun," be said ; *' bat tbe medicine he bad ordered, and sea batbitig he
doubted not, would set all to rights; it was fortunate,'' he added,
"ahe delayed no longer sending for him;" mentioned twenty mintou*
loua cures he hod performed; admired tlie iinmeiise fine prospeot
before the door, and wisbed her a good morning, with what he
thought qnite a d^agfe and irresiatiblo air.

S8T

with hie daughter, IliB coaversation wax tlien calcokte^] to strengthen
her forthndo anil resignation, and prepare her for an approaching
meliuicholy effent. Wlienever she receivej a hint of it, her agony
wa« iDcipre^ible : bat pity for her feelings could Dot prevent her
father from using CTory opportunity that 5ooarred for bying down
mle» and f scepta, which might be gerviceablo to her wlicn wilhont a
l^ide or protector. Sometimes he adverted to the past, but tlm wns '
onlv done to make her more cantioua of ttie flitnre.

He charged her to avoid any further intimacy with Lord Mortimer,
as an esseatiul meunre for the restoration of her peace and preserva-
tion of his fame, and the removal of Lord Cherbnry's nnjnst Bnspi-
cions, yrho will find at lost, continned he, how much he wronged me,
and may, perhaps, foel compaaotion, when beyond hla power to make
reparation.

To all he desired, Amanda promised a religions observance ; she
thought it nnnecessary in him, indeed, to desire her to avoid Lord
Mortimer, convinced ts she was that he Iiad utterly abandoned her ;
bat the grief this desertion occasioned, she believed, she slionld soon
•vercome, was her tatlier once realnred to healtli, fur then she would
have no time fur useieas regrela or retrospection, bnt be obliged to
pass every hour in active exertions fur his sopport and comfort,

A week passed away in this manner at the cabin ; a week of
wretchedness to Aroando, who perceived her father growing weakei
and weaker.

Bhe BHBiste<l him, as usual, to rise one evening, for a few minutee ;
when dreitsed, lie complained of an oppression in his breathing, and
desired to be anpported to the sir. Amanda, with diOlcnlCj, led him
to the window, which she opened, and seated him by it : then knelt
before him, and putting her arms round his waist, fastened her eyee
with auiioUB tenderness npon his face.

Tlie evening was serenely fine ; the sun was setting In all its glory ;
and the sea, illumined by its parting beama, looked like a slieet of
liurnished silver.

"What a lovely scene!" cried Fitinion, fdinlly; "with what
iiifljesly does the snn retire from the world; the calmness which
'iTi«nda its departure, is such, I think, m mnet attend the exit of a

0 heaven,

aaa childeo- or rm: abbet.

exclaimed, " Uercifiil Power I bad it pleased tbee, I could hare wl«1ie4
jet a little longer to have been spared to this yuUDg creature ! but thj
nill, not mine, be done; confiding in tby mercy, I leave ber with
some degree of fortitude."

Amanda'd tears began to flow as be spoke; he r&ised hiit hand on
wliicli tliej fell, and kissing them otf, exclaimed, " precious drops :
my Amanda, weep not too bitterly for me; like a weary traveller,
think that rest muat now be acceptable to me."

&ha iuterrapted him, and coiyered him to cbange the discoursti.
He shook bis bead moomiuUy ; pressed ber bands between bis, and

" Yet a little longer, my child, Ijeor with it;" then bid her assnra
her brother, whenever they met, which be trusted and believed
woald be soon, be bad his fatlier'a blessing; " the only legacy," b«
cried, " I con leave him : bat one I am confident be meriu, and will
value ; to yon, ray girl, I have no doubt be will prove a friend and
guardino ; you may both, perhaps, be amply recomjNtnsed for ail yonr
Providence is just in all iia dealings, and may yet rendw

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Bn reomined a coQaidersble time In b state of inseiisibilit;f, sail,
when recovered, she found herself in & bed lain npon th« floor, in
a corner of the outaide room; her sensM were at firat confused; she
r«lt as if waking from a disagreeable dream, but in a few rainQles a
jierfect recoQectioa of what had past retumiug, she Haw sorae one
Hitting by the bed: she raised herself a little, and perceiTed aister
Uary; "This is indeed a eharitable visit," cried she, extending her
hand, and speaking in a low brolfen voice. The good-natured nan
janiped from lier seat on hearing her speolt, and embraced her most
tenderly. Ilor carettses affected Amanda ineipressiblj: elie dropped
her Jiead n]>on her breast and wept with a vehemence whieh relievM
the oppression of her heart.

Sister Mary said, she had never heard of her return to the oonntry,
HU Mrs, Bryne came to 8t. Callierlne's for a few spriga of rosemary
to Btrew over the poor caplaio ; she had returned with her then to
the cabin to try if Hhe could be of any service, and to invite her, in
the noiue of the prioress and the whole sisterhood, to the convent.

Amanda thaiilied lior for her kind invitation, which, she said, she

must decline accepting for a few iay«, till she had performed all her

daties, which, in a voice lialf stiSed by sobs, sh^j added, "the grave

would Boon terminate; ahe was sorry," she said, "that they tiad

undressed her, and requested sister Mary to assist her in pntting oQ

her clothes." Tlie sinter tried to dissuade her fh>m thii, bnt soon

p-ibmid she was determined to spend the remainder of the night in her

er's apartment ; she accohlingl; dressed her, fbr Anuuida'a

I trembling bands refused Iheir accustomed office, and made her take

us of wine and water ere she soflTered her to move towards the

'. Amanda was astonished, as she approached it, to bear a violDDt

I noise, like the mingled sounds of laughing and singing; her whole

\ wnl recoiled at the tumult, and she asked sister Mary, with a coimu-

X of terror, "what ii meant 1" She replied, "it wai only soma

I ftiends and neighbours doing hononr to the captain." Amanda

r fcMtiiy opened the door, aniions to terminate the suspense tliesa

1 words occasioned ; but how great was her horror when she perceived

I

I

i

I Mt of tlie mcaDust rustics ossomLled roaiiO tho bed, with t
^ipearaaco of iucbrieij, kngbini;, sbuuting aud siiii>kiiig. Wliat a
cavage scene for a cliiiil, whoHe heart was bursting with grief! Slia
Blirieked witli horror, and Hinging hersalf intu Ibe a
Marj, Qoiijured ber to bave tbe room clearud.

Sister Mary, from being acoustomed to Bucb sceaee, felt neituei
liorror nor Uiegust; she coniplied, however, with Uie request of
Amanda, and i>esougbt tliera to depart, saying, " ibtit Miss Fitzolao
was a Blranger to their cnstoniB, and bBsides, ]K>ur tiling, quil«
beside henielf with griof." They began to grumble at the propmol
of reinoTiDg, they bad made prcparHtions for sjieuding a uierry night,
and iica. Uryue said, " if she had thought thiuga would have turned
out iu this way, the captain might have fouad some other piaue to
die in — for the least one could have, aft«r his giving them «o mudi
troahle, was a little ei\juyinent with oue's friends at the hitter end."
Johnat«Q and Kate, who were nmong the party, joined Ibeir
entreatice to sister Uary's, and she, to tempt them to compliance,
•ud, "tliat in oil probability they would soon have another and %
better opportunity for making merry than t)ie prettent." They at
length retired, and sister Mary and Amanda were left alone ia tbe
obarober of death. The dim light which remained cast a glimmering
Hhode upon the face of Fitzalan, that added to its ghofttllDesi
Amanda now indulged in all the luxnry of grief, and found In sister
Hary a truly sympathetic friend, for the good dud was famed
throughout the little circle of her acquaintaoce for weeping with
those that wept, and r^oiciug with those that r^olced. 8ho
obtained a proniise from Amanda of Bccompanying her to St.
Catharine's as eoon as her father was interred; and in retam for
(Lis she gave on assurance for continuing with ber till the last mehu>*
oholy offices were over, and also, tliat, with tlie assistance of Johna-
ten, sliu would see every tiling proper provided ; this was some com-
fort to Amanda, who felt herself at pre^nt unequal to any eiertiim ;
yet, notwithstanding her fatigue and illness, she persevered in hef
reeolutioQ of sitting up with her lather every night, dreading tliat, if
■be retired to bed, a ncene of riot would agmn etisue, which, in her
Opinion, was sacrilege to the dead. She went to bed every morning
■nd was nursed with tbe most tender affection by sister Mary, who
■lie insisted on being her companion at night. Tliis, however, wai

cHiLDRia or Taa arbht 341

hvt m mere flatter of form, for Uie good sistci' was totally miable '/>
keep Lur eyes open and «lej)t aa coinfurulile ttp^in the eartlien dour,
with ber go-wD made into a. pillow fur her head, as if laid iifMin the
do'wn; Iheu iroa poor Amanda left to her own reflectiuna, and th«
melancholy conteinplatioD of her beloved father's remalna. The
evening of the fourth day after his decewie was fixed npoo for hia
interment ; vith streaming ejea (md a breaking heart, Amtinda beheld
Lini pnt into the oofBn, and in that moment folt aa if he bad agfun
dieil before her. A arnall procession attended, conaistdng of the
people of the hooso, Johnaten and Eate, and a few rrapectahle
fuinera, to whom Fitzalan had endeared himself dnring his short
a'oode at Castle Carberj: the men had scarfs and hat-bauds, and thi

Jiihnaten, who had been a soldier in bia jonth, resolved to paj
■onie Diilit'u-y honour, and placed his hat and sword upou Ilie cofBo.

Amanda b; the moat painful efforts, supported the preparations for
hta removal : but when she saw tlie coffin actually raised to be taken
Dot, alio could no lunger reetrain her feelings : she shrieked in ths
■gonjr uf her aoul, a sickness almost deadly seited her, and
binling upon Mater Mary's bosom I

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Brnt—rair Pn.

SrniR Mart recovered ber with difBcnIty, but fonnd it impossible

love tier ft'om the cnbin till she was onee more compufed. In

I dtont two boura ita inhabitants rotnraed, and the car havinir nrrivvd.

which she had ordered to convey Amnnda to St. CiilhariTie'H, sh(

9 placed ii|ion it Is a slate scarcely anitnnto, and BUp[iorted hy ii*

ter Mary, wu* conveyod to that peviccful asyliiin.

I

S4ll

On Bifiring at it, she was carried iramedinloly into the prioraM'
kpiu-tiiietit, wlio received and welcomed lier wilii tlie most t^nilH
olTictlDii aud BBDHitiiUty — a tenderuesa wliiuli roused Amanda from
tLe stupefactioD into wliicli she appeared einkiog and made her weep
Tiolunlly. She felt relieved from doing bo, and as some return for
the kiadncaa ahe received, endeavoured to ap]>ear beneStl«d by it;
riie tlicreforo declined going Co bed, but lay dowa npon a little matted
(■oucti in the [irioreas' room, tlie teo-lable was cloee by it; aa she
refoaod any other refreahmont, slie obtuioed this by a protuiue of
•ating ■DUicChiiig with it ; none of the Eiaterhood, aiater Mary except-
ed, were admitted, and Amanda felt thia delicate atI«i.',!on Mtd
respect to ber sorrows witli gratitude.

She arrived ou the eve of their patron Saint at the convent, wliiob
-was always celebrated with solenmity : af1«r tea, therefore, the pn-
oress and sister Mary were compelled to repair to the chapel, but ehe
rciiuuved tlie reiitctanue tbey felt to leave her alone by complaining of
being drowsy. A pillow being laid under ber head by sbter Mary,
•oon aner tbcy quitlod ber, she fell into a profound sliiinber, in wtiioli
ehe continued till awoke by distant miuio, so soil, so clear, so banno-
DioUH, tliat tlie deiigbtfui sei^saUon it gave ber, «be could only
Gomriare to thoite whiuli abe imagined a dlntressed and peiulve Boul
would feci, when, springing Irota the shackles of mortality, it first
heard the heavenly sounds that welcomed it to the realms of eternal

bliss.

The cliapel, from which those celestial sounds proceeded, was at
the extremity ol tlie liouse, so that tbey sonietimes swelled upon her
ear, sometimea fainliy sunk upon it. Tlie pauses in the organ, which
was finely played, were filled up by the sweet, though less [lowerful
■truDS of the sisterhood, who sung a liyiiiu in honour of their Saint.

*tis a foretonte of heaven, thought Amanda. She heard a deep ugh
behind her. B!ie tamed her bead Imatily, and perceive<) a figure
standing near, which bore a strong reeemblance tJi Lord Mortimer.
■ Bhe was alarmed --she could not believe it was hira. Tlie light which
the small heavy-arched winduw admittud was inipci fuct, and slie ro.^
from the couch to bo belter aiWDred it was or was not him ; a second

» oouvinued lier «]i« niiglit lidvo belJeveJ her e;^ ui flr't. —
I n«mbliiiK will tLsh-uUlieil tilie duuk apoo a e^at, siclniiiiiag, "Grn-
{ flloua heaven I wtiaC urn havebruught Lord Mortimer liilLcr!"

He ra&Ue oo rcpl;, but kneeling before her, took hi^r benils in hii
J and presdeU tliem to iiis forehead and li[ia, uid laid hU head apoo

Why," cried Amanda, unutterably affected bj the emotions ba
'fcetraj-ed, " why, my lord, are you oome luther I"

To try," he replied in a voice scarcely srticulata, " whether U)n
AtutlaD will yet cousider me as ber friend 1"

"That, my lord," mid she, "depends npon oircumstauces ; but
•tule yoor lordship reiuaiua in yoar present position, what tLcy are
I cannot cKplain."

Lord Mortimer instaatly aroae, and seated Iiimself by hur ; " Now
teU me," said he, " what those circumstances ere."

"ITie first, my lord, is to eictilpate my father in the opinion of
Lord Cherbnry, and by declaring the commeucement and pro^'ress of
our acquaintance, eradicate from tila lordship's mind the iigurioai
anepioions he entertained against him. This, perhaps, you will eaj is
tueless, oonaidering those suspicions can no longer wound him; but,
-oy lord, I de«m it an incumbent duty on me to remqve from his
•nemory the obluquy on my account oast on it."

"I promiMe you most soleranly," said I^nl Mortimer; "you shall
be obeyed. This is a debt of jusljce, whiuli I had resolved to pay ere
i received your iiunnction for doing so ; it is bol lately I heard of the
ilUtjnst charges made against him ; nor do I know what fiend gave rise
to them."

"The same, perhaps," eiclnimed Amanda, "who spread sQch com-
plicated snares for my destruction, and involved mo in every horror
'fent that which proceeds from conscious guilt Oh I my lord, the seo-
lODd circumstance 1 allude to is, if yon should hear my name treated
with scorn and contempt by those few, those very few wlioin 1 Lad
veseon to eeloem, and believed esteemed me, that you will kindly
■■interpose in my justification, and say, I merited not the a.«pereioni
■«a«t njion me. Believe me innocent, and yon will eaaily persuade
aOtlicra tliat 1 am so. You slioke your head, as nincli us to b!^
■^n cannot think me so after the proo& you have seen !(> the conU*
«(y. Ahl my lord, the proofs were contrived by malice and Irpaeber;,

I

114

to niia me in the wtimation of my frienils, acd by perfidy U> fn^rc*
into crime, of which 1 already bMi Uie ajipearance and Btignw,
Biireiy in UiU Holema hour, which has seen my beloved father otm-
aigned lo his kindred aarih, when with a mind liara«ied by aorruw
and with B body worn out witlt fatigue, I fuul as if standing oc
tiie verge of the grave, I shouid be the moat abandoned of wretches,
if I could aasort uiy innocence withont the consciouauess of really
poBseftiiing it : No, my lord, by such a falaehood I should not only ba
wicked, hut foolish in depriving myself of that bappineaa hen»ner,
which will so full]- recoropenso my present miseries."

" Oh I Amanda," cried Lord Uortiiner, who had been walking
baekwarda and forwards in an agitated manner while she spoke, "you
would almost convince mo aguinst the eridence of my own eenses."

" Almost," alio repeated ; " then 1 gee, my lord, you are determined
to disbelieve me, but why, since so pr^udiced against me, have you
oomo hither? Was it merely to be assared of my wretchedness) To
hear me say that I stand alone in the world, without one beiug inter-
ested aboot my wol&re, that my present asylum is bestowed by
uhari ty, and that if my life be prolonged it must be s[>eat in Btrogglini
■gainst constitution, sorrow and ill fame to procure a subsistence."

''No, no," exclaimed Lord Mortimer, flinging himself at her teet.
"never siiall you Buffer such misery ; were you even the being 1 ww
tempted to think you some time ago, never would Uortimcr sufier
the woman his heart dooted on to feel such calamity. I do not, I
cannot believe yon would deceive me. Tliere is an irrcistible elo-
quence in yonr words, that convinces me you have been the victim
of treadiery, and I its dupe ; I cannot give you a more oonvincing
proof of my confidence in yon, th.in by ftgnin renewing my ontrenliea
lo have one fame, one fate, one fortune ours."

The resolution which Amanda had forced to support her thraogh
the painful scene she guest would ensue the moment she saw Lord
Mortimer now vanished, and she burst into a flood of tear*.

She saw liU conduct in the most generous, the must enalted ligrlit :
notwithstanding appearances were so much against her, be was will-
ing to rely solely on her own asseveration of innocence, and to mo
every risk on her account ; that by a union he might shelter her from
the (lislrcaa of her pre«ent aitoation ; But while her sonsihili^ wm
■fleeted hr hi" eiprpsticini, her prtdj wai alarmed l«t ha shonU

J

i

ouiLuaBH or the abb&f. 345

■mptite tier ftfdent deaire of rindicsting herself to the espcciation of
having bis addre!iHes renewed. In broken aecenU aha endearoitred to
remove Buuh ta idea it' it had risen, nod to convince him that all fur-
ther intimacy between them most now be terminated. Loi-d Mortimer
ascribed the hitter part of her speech to the resentment she ftlt against
him for ever entertaining doubta of her worth. She desired him to
rise, bat he refused until he was forgiven. Uy for^veness ia yoiiTS
indeed, niy lord, swd she, thongh yonr suspicions wounded me to the
Houl ; I con scarcely wonder at yonr entertaining tbem, when I reflect
on the different situations in which 1 woa found, which, if yonr lord-
ebip can spare a little longer time, or deem it worth devoting to such
a purpose, as well na I am able I will account for being involved in. —
Lord Mortimer declared hia ardent desire to hear those parlicnlars,
which nothing but a fear of fiitigoinj or agitating her conld have
prevented his before eipressing. He then seated himself by her, and
taking her cold and emaciated hand in hia, listened to her litllo nar-

She briefly informed him of her father's residing in Devonshire
after the deutli of her mother, of the manner in which they became
acquainted with Colonel Belgrave, of his having ingratiated himself
into their friendship, by pretending to be Oscar's friend, and then,
plnnging them in distress, when he found they not only resisted but
resented his villanuus designs.

Slie related the artful manner in which Lady Greystock had drawn
)icr from her fblher's protection, and the cold and insolent rem-'ption
she met with from the rosrcbioneea and her daughter, wlien intro-
duced by the above mentioned lady; tlie enmity the niarcliione^s bore
her father, the andden alteration in her behaviour, the
her house, eo unexpeoted and ODnecessary, all tending to ii
belief that she was concerned in contriving Colonel Belip-ave'
tance to tbe honse, and had also gireii Lord Clierbury re
iuspect the integrity of her father.

I.ord Moniraer here interrupted Amanda to mention tlie c<
tion which parsed between him and Mrs. Jane in tbe Hall.

6Iie raised her hands and eyes to heaven with astonishment at snrh
wickediieas, and said, "though she always snapected Ujc girl'.i integ-
rity, fi-om a certain sycophant air, she never imagined she could Im
capable of such baseness."

Ixvnl Mortimer sgain interrupted her I" loenHon whu*. ^bA^ <Vtt«-

■took had told liim ctmcemiug Urs. Jenaiogs, an also wliat the huiiM>
keeper bod said of the nute he gava fur Amoiido.

"Good GodI"iiaid Ainniidii, "when 1 hear uf all the enemioa I bad,
I almost wonder I escaped so well." Slie tliuu leauraed h«r narra-
tive, occoimted for the dislike Ma, Jennings had to her, and ei|i|ained
the vny ia wliich she was entrapped into Cuiunel lieltjrave'a power,
the aluiiut iniraoulons manner in which uhe was freed from his home,
the friendship tihe received from Uowell, and tlie situation in whiuh
bhe arrived at Castle Corherrj, and found her fatlier. The cWing soeno
she could not describe, for eighs and sobs impeded her utterance.
Lord Martimer gen tlj folded her to his breast; he colled his dear,
his unfortDDBte, his lovely girl, more prccioui than ever to his licart,
and declared he never again would qnit lieruntU she had given biiua
right to esponse her quarrels, and t>ecure her from the macbiuanona
of her enemies. Ilcr wunii tears wet his cheek as uhe exolaiiucd,
"that could never he."

"Jly promise is already past," cried she, that which was given tu
the Lving shall not he forfeited to the dead; and this, my lord, by
design, is the last time we mo^t ever meet."

'* What promiaei" cxdaimed Lord Mortimer, "snrely no one could
be so inhumaa as to eitort a promise &om you to give me up."

''It, woa sot inliomantty extorted it," replied Amanda; "bnt
honour, rectitude, and discretion; without forfeiting those, never
Ma I violate it. There is but one event could make me acqui-
esce in your wishes, tliat is, having a fortune adeqttate to yours
;o bri;ig yon, becuuso llien Lord Cherbury would aaeribe no
s'dfish motive to my conduct; but as auch an event is utterly
improbable, I might almost ray impossible, it ia certain we shall
Hdvcr be united. Any further intercourse between us, you must
•Jierefore be convinced would injure me. Disturb not, iliereJ'ore, my
'.•nd, my retirement; but ere you depart, allow me to assure you, you
have lightened the weight on my heart by cieditiug wliat 1 have said :
.■ihoitld 1 not recover from the illuess which now preys upon me, it
will i!hcer iny departing spirit to know you lliiuli me innocent; and
'f 1 live, it wiil support me Uirongk many difficulties, and often, per-
haps, after the toils of a busy day, shall comfort myaelf by reflecting,
that those I esteem, if they think of me, it is with their wonted

LdrJ ifortimer wa» offeclcd hj ll.c u,:inntr in h licli .he sp"'"'. ''i»

mftm b^an to gUsten, and he was sgaio declaring he would not
tatfer lier to sacrifice tiappiness ttl the dlirine of h too scriipnluus hdi]
roiaantic generosity, wh«p tlie door opened and the priorewi and nia-

R ^ Mnr; (who hail been detained in tlie olia;)el by a long discuiiree

Hlfroin the priest) entered, bearing lights.

^ Ixird Mortimer stArted in inuuli confusion, reireate<l to one of tin-
windows, and drew out his handlcerahief to conceal the emutinii'
Amanda hikd excited. She was unable to speak to the priorc^> nnd
sliiter Mi&y who BtAred round them, and then at each other, not cei-
tain whether tliey should advance or retreat. Lord Mortimer in a
-fcw moments recovered his composure, and advancing to the priorcsa
■fwlogi^ed for his intrusion into her apartment ; but said he had the
bonour of being a friend of Miss Fitzalan'a, and coidd not resist hia
^isb of inquiring in person after her health, as soon as he arrived in
the country.

The prioress, who had once seen a good deal of the polite worid,
received this address with ease and complaisance. Bister Mary went
Orer to Atnanda, and found her weak, trembling, and weeping. Bho
«pressed the ntmost concern at seeing her in snch a situation, and

\ Immediately procured her a glass of wine, which she insisted on her
taldng. The lights now gave Lord Mortimer an opportunity of con-
templating the depredationn which grief and sickness hod made npon
her. Her pale and sallow complexion, her heavy and sunken eyes,
Btrnck him with horror. He conld not conceal his feeling. "Gra-
cious heaven," cried he, going to the conch, and taking her band, " 1
.fear you are very ill."

She looked mournfully in his face withont speaking; but this look
was sufficient to assure liijn he was not mistaken. The efforts she had
made to converse with him, and the yet greater eftbrts she had raada
to banish him forever from her, quite eihausted her; after the vari-
ons miseries she had gone through, how soothing to her soul would
hare been the attentions of l«rd Mortimer, Tiow pleasing, how
delightful the ayslnm she would have found in his arms I Bat no
temptation, no distrees, sbe resolved, should ever make her disobej
the injunction of her adored father.

" Slie is very bad indeed," said sister Mary, '' and we must get hei
<n bed as soon as possible."

"She re<inire« rest and repose indeed," said Lord Mortimer ; " bnf

I

tell roe, mj dear Uiss Fitzalaa," Uking her hand, "if I haTs thuw
good laiUcs' pennisaioD for oaUiiig here lo-morrow, will jron, it abl*

"I cauDot imleed," said Amanda ; " I have aJrenJy declftred thia
mnat be our last iDUrview, and I sliall not retract from what I hare

" Then," eielaiined Lord Mortimer, regardless, or rather furgetM
cf thone who heard him, from the agitation and warmth of his foel-
Ltigs, "I aliall in one respect, at least, acense yon of disaitnalatiMi,
that of fcigniog a re^rd for me jou never fult."

" Such an nccuiatioD is now of little consequence," replied Amanda;
** perhaps you had better think it just."

" Cruel, inexorable giri, to refuse seeing me, to wish to have tie
MUJety which preys upon inj heart prolonsod."

" Young man," said the prioress, in an accent of displeasure, sea-
ing the tears streamiDg down Amanda's cheulis, "' respect her

"Heapeet tbom, niailam," repealed lie; "0 heaven! I respect, I
venerate tliem : but will yon, my dear lady I when Uiss Fitzolon ia
able, prevail on lier to oommunicato the particulars of our aoquaint-
BQce; and will yon then becoiue my advocate, and persnade her t)
receive my viaite!"

"Impossible, sir," said the prioress; "I sliall never attempt tii
desire a larger share of oonfidence from Miss Fitzalan than she deeiret
to bestow upon me. From my knowledge of her I am convinoed her
conduct will be always guided by discretion ; she has greatly obliged
me by cboobing tiis humble retreat for her residence; she has put
herself nnder my protection, and I sliall endeavour to f\dfil that
aaored trust by securing her from any molestation."

"Well, madam," said Lord Mortimer, "I flatter myself Miw Fiu-
alan will do riie Justice in declaring my visits proceeded from wishM,
which, though she may disappoint, »he cannot disapprove, I shall no
longer intrude upon your time or hers, but will sUtl hope I shall find
you bo til less inflexible."

Ho took up his hat, he approached the door; but when lie glanoei
■t Amanda, he conid not de[>art without speaking to her, and SffaiQ
o the coucli. Ho entreated her lo compose and etert herself;
h* tlutired her forgiveuess for any warmtb he had betrayed, end U*

^

U I ABB ST.

14»

1 her now

irldspercd to her that all his eortbl; happiness depended o
loratioQ to health, and her becoruing bu. He iouist^d o
giviag him her hitnd as a pledge of amlt; between thera. 6he com-
plied: but when presuming on tida, he aguin asked her consent to
■ npeat his risits, he found her inesorable aa ever, and retired if not
with a displeased, with a disapjwiutcd ooantenance. Siat«r Mar^
itl«Ddcd him Irom the opartmeui. At the door of the convent ho
nquested her to nall< a few pauea from it with him, aajing he wonted
to speaK to her. She consented, and remcuibering he was the peraoa
tho frightened her one evening amongst the rnina, detertiiined now,
if she had an opportunity, to asic what had then brought him hither.

I«rd Mortimer linew the poverC; of the convent, and feared Am and*
night want many things, or its inhalutante be distressed tt> prooura
Qiem fur her; he therefore pulled oat a parse and presenting it to
Hster Itarj, reqnested alie would apply it for Miss Fitzalan'a n»e,
wilhont uentioniog any tiling abont it to her.

Sister Mar; shook tlie parse, — " Oh I Jesu Maria," exclaimed she,
" bow heavy it is I"

Lord Mortimer was retiring, when catddng bold of him, tlie cried,
"Stay, stay, I have a word or two to say to you: I wonder bow much
there is in this purse?"

Lord Mortimer smiled. "Jf not enongh for the present emergencies,
■ud he, " it sliall soon be replenislied."

6iBl«r Mary sat down npon a tomb-stona, and very de1iberat«lj
counted the money into bur lap. " Ob I roerov," said ahe, " I sever
o many guineas together before in fJl my lifel"

Aguin Lord Mortimer smiled, and was retiring, but again stopping

him, she returned the g
vonld or durst Iceep it.

Lord Mortimer was ]
replying to it walked oi
the purse at his feet, was

When she returned t

) the purse, and declared she neither

'oked at this deolaratioa, and witboat
She ran nimlly after him and dropping

i of sight in a moment,
the prioress' apartment slie related tbe

incident, aad tcwk much merit to herself for acting eo pmdenlly
The prioress commended her very much, and poor Amarila, with a
Unt voice, «aid she had acted quite right.

A Utde room, 'amda the prioress' chamber, wa< prepared fo>
Amanda, into wbicb aha wat now conveyed, and the good natnr«4
ritter Mary brought her own bed, and laid it boslde bar*.

I

CHAPTER XXSV.

It will uuw be necessary to nccoiiiit for lite sudden B|ipear»DM
of Ixird Mortimer at tlje ccnvetit. — Our readur may recollect that w»
left iiiiii ill London, in the deepest atBiction fur the supposed perfidy
of Amanda: an affliction which kuew no diniinution from time.
Neither the tenderness of his aunt, Lady Martha Dormer, or Die kind
consideration his father showed for hini, who, for ilie present, ocniied to
importnnahimahoutl^y Euphrasia, conldhave&iiy lenient effect opon
him; he jiined in thotiRht, and felt a distaste to all society; he at last
began to think, that tbongh Amanda had been nnhappily led astray,
she might ere this have repented of her error, and forsaken Colonel
Belgrave; to know whether ahe had done so, or whether she conld
he prevailed upon to give him ap, lie believed would bo on allevintioo
of hit sorrows. No sooner hod he persuailed himself of this than he
determined on going to Ireland without delay, to visit Captain
Fitzalan, and if she was not returned to 4iis [irotection, advise with
him about «ome method of restoring her to It.

Be told Lord Cherbury he thought an excursion into Wales woihl
be of servi(» to him. Ilis lordship agreed on thinbing it might; end
secretly delighted that all danger relative to Amanda was over,
(dadly ooncurred in whatever could please his son, Aattering himself,
that on his return U> London, he wonld no longer raise any objections
to an ollianoe with the fair Scotch lieiress.

Lord Mortimer travelled with as much expedition to Holyhead, aa
if certain that perfect happiness, not a small alleviation of misery,
wonld be the recompense of his jonmey. He concealed tVom his aunt
tlie real motive which actuated him to it, blusldng even to hiinself at
the weakness he still felt relative to Amanda.

Wlieu he crossed the water, ho again set off post, attended on bors«-
back only by his own man; witliin one mile of Castle Carberry he
met a little monrufol procession approaching, which was attendini
poor Flliiikn to his laat home. The earring stopped to t«t theu

^

CMILKhEN Ul I UK ABUt^r. 301

poaa, tuA ij tiiti last of the group hp perceiveil Julinatcn, wtio ut tha
»Aa6 iiiuiiiont recugiiixed liim. Joliuaten with imidi sui-prbe in hit
loacieiiflri™. stopped up to Ihe carriage, and oftur bowing, and hura-
>i'f b'l^piiig hig lordsLip was well, with a melancliuly siiake of bis
Lead, informed liiin nhiMU remaina he was following.

"Oaptwn Eltzalaa dead I" repeated Lord Mortimer, with a face ai
pale an ileatli, and a faltering voioo, while liia heart sunk within him
at itie idea, tlial hia futher was to some degree accesEarj to the fatal
event; Ibr jUBt belbre he left lAindoa Lord Charhury hod iofunned
liiin of the letter he wrote to Fitzalan, and this he belioTed, Joined
to bio own immediate family nilsfortanes, had precipitated liim from
tliB world, "Oapajn Fitsalan dead I" ho Molaimed.

" Yes, and please yoa my lord," said Jobnaten, wiping away a tear,
"and he has not left a better or a braver man bcbiiul bim. Poor
gentleman, tiie world pressed bard upon him."

"Had he no tender friend about bira?" asked Lord Mortimer.
" Wei-e neither of bis children with himl"

" Ob I yes, my lord, poor Miaa Amanda."

"She was with him?" said Lord Mortimer in an eager aceuit.

" Yea. my lord, she returned hero about ten days ago, bnt uo sadlj
sltere<t, 1 think she won't stay long behind him. Poor thing, slie ia
going fust, indeed, and the more's the pity, for she is a sweet

Lord Mortimer was inexpressibly shocked ; be wished to bide his
emotions, and waved his band to Johnaten to depai't; bnt Jobnaten
either did not, ur would not nndersUnd Ibe motion, and tie was
obliged in broken accenla to say, he would no longer de.ain him.

The return of Amnnda was to bim a conviction that she bad seen
her error in its true light ; he pictured to himself the aJecting scene
which mnat have ensned between the dying father aud a penitent
daughter, so loved, so valued as was Amanda, her situation when
ahe received his forgiveness and benediction ; he represented her to
himself Hs at onca bewailing the loss of her father, and her otTenees,
endeavouring, by prayers, by tears, by sighs, to obliterate thom in tbs
sight of Heaven, and render herself fit to receive its awful fiat.

lie heard she was dying ; his soul recoiled at the idea of seeing her
Rhronded in her native clay, and yet be ouuld not help believing tiiit
the only peaceful osjliim she could find, to be "Vccd {fun the shaft*

of contempt, aad mulice of the world. He tremblEil lest he sboold
not behold the lovely penitent while the was capable ol' observing
him: to receive a last adieu, though dreadful, wonid yet he thought
lighten the horrors of an eternal separation, and perhaps too, il wonld
be aorae comfort to her departing spirit to know from him he had
pardoned her, and conscious sure)}', he thought to himself, she icust
be of needing pardon from hlin, whom ahe had so long imposed on
by a specious pretest of virtue. He had heard from Lord Cherbury,
that Captain FitziJan had qoitted the castle; he knew not therefore
at present where to find Amanda, nor did he chooM ui make any
inquiries till he agun saw Johnaten.

As soon B3 the procession was out of eight he alighted from the
carriage ; and ordering his man to discharge it on arriving at Csella
Carberry, he look a path across the fields, which brought him to tli«
ride of the uhnruh-jard where Fitzalan wa^ to be interred.

He reached it jost as the ooflia was lowering inio Iliu eartb ; a yew
tree growing by the wall against which he leaned hid him from
observation. He heard many of the mstics mentioning the merit* of
the deceased, in tenne of warm, though artless commendation, as bo
saw Johnaten receiving the hat and sword, which, as military tro-
phlee, he hod laid npon the coffin, with a flood of tears.

When the obnrch-jord wua cleared, Le stepped across the broken
trail to the silent mansion of Fitzalan ; the scene was wild and dreary,
Ukd a lowering evening seemed in nnison with the sad objects around.
Lord UorlJmer was annk in the deepest despondence; he felt awfiiUy
convinced of the instability of human attainments, and the vanity of
hnmon pnrsnits, not only from the ceremony be bad Just witnessed,
bnt bis own situation; the fond hopes of his hearty the gay expeota-
tions of his youth, and the hilarity of his sool were blasi«d — never, he
feared, to revive. Virtue rank, and fortune, advantages so highly
prized by mankind, were unable to give him comfort, to remove tha
malady of liis heart, to odniiniHler one obvious antidote to a mind
diseased.

*' Peace to thy shade, thon uufortnnatc soldier," exclaimed he, after
standing some time by the gmve with folded arms; "peace to tby
»^liadel peace which shall reward thee for a life of toil and trouble.
ipy sbiiuld I hnve deemed r

i myself, I

J my l(

lightened Ihy grief, or cheered thy closing hour>; but tb^se who

I

L

ouiLDKBn or iBK ABBCi. 86t

•feis Nearer to thee than oiiatence I may yet serve, and Ihns unaka
tLt only atooem^Dt now la my power fur tbe injiistiee J Tear wa«
[lono tiiee : thy Amanila and thy gallant son fiball he niy care, and
bis path, I trust, it will be in my power to amootii tliroogh life."

A tear IVdl from Lord Mortimer apon the grave, and he turned
mournfully trora it towards Cantle Carberry. Here Jobnaten wu
srrivad before him, and hod already a large fire llglitud in th«
''.reasing-room. poor Amanda, od coming to the castle, bad ohoien
'br herself. Johnaten fixed od this for Lord Mortimer, as the pv-
'.onrs had been sliat up ever since Captain Fit^alau's departure, and
ccold not be put in order till the neit day | but it was Llie worst
place Lord Mortimer oould have entered, as not only itself, but every
thing is it reiiiinded him of Amanda, and the grief it excited at hit
first entrance was ao violent, as t^ idorm, not only his nian who was
spreading n table with refreshments, but Johualeo, who waa asslrjttng
him. lie soon checked it, however; but wlieu be attain looked
round the room, and beheld it ornomeuted by works done by
Amanda, ha could scarcely prevent another burst of grief as viuleut
as Uie Srat.

He now learned Amanda's residence, and so great was bia Impa-
tience to see h«r, that, appreliensive tbe convetit would soon be
closed, ho set off, fatigued as he was, without taking aiiy rctresh-

He intended to ai^k for one of the ladies of St. Catliorioe's, and
entreat ber, if Amanda was then in a eituatiori to bo seen, to
announce his arrival to her; but, after rapping repeatedly with a
rattan against the door, the only person who appeared u> him wna a
•ervant girl. From her he learned that the ladies were ail in the
chapel, and that Miss Filzabn was in the prioress' apartment. Hs
asked, "Was she loo ill to be seen?" The giri replied "Ko;" for
having only entered tbe room lu leave the kettle in it, at a time when
Amanda was composed, she imagined slie was very well.

Lord Mortitncr then told her his n^me, and desired ber to go op U>
Miss Fitzolan and inquire whether she would see him. The girJ
attempted not to move; she was in reality so struck of a heap, by
bearing that she bad been talking with a lord, that slie knew not
whether lUe was standing on her bead or her heels. Lord Muiliwer
JTDpDting her silenca to disinclination to comply with his request, put
aifulnea into htr bnn<', and entreAtod her to b« ex|>ediliou«. Thi«

I

I

ss«

restored ber U> animation; but ere she re&clied the rooia she forgot'
his title, and being aslioined to deliver a blundering message to Misa
Fitzalun, or to appear stupid to Lord Mortimer, she returned to hitn,
pretending that she had delivered his meeMge, and that be might go
np. She filiowed tiim the door, and when bti entered he imputed the
tlleiice of Amanda, and her not moving, to the effects of ber grief.
Ue advanced to the coitcb, and was not a liti]e shocked on seeing her
eyes closed, conclodiDg from this that elie bad fainted ; bat her easy
respiration soon convinced him thnt \lu» woa a mistake, and he
linmediately concluded that the girl hod deceived hint. Ee leaned
over her UU she began to stir, and tlieo retreated behind h«r, lest liia
presence, on her first awaking, ahould alarm her.

What took place in tlie interview between them Las alruadj been
related. Notwithstanding appearances were so much against her,
and no eiplniiation had onsned relative to iliem, from tlie moment
the asserted her iimocence with solemnity, he ooiild no longer aoufat
It, and yielding at once to his conTiction, to his love, to his pity for
her, he again renewed hii overtures for a anion. Hearing of th'
etratagems hud for her destruction, the dangers she liad escaped, U)s
distresses she had experienced, made him more anxions than ever
for completing it; that hy his constant protection he might aecnre
her from similar trials, end by his tenderness and core, restore her to
health, peace, and happiness. He longed for the period of her tri-
umphing over the {>erfidions msrohionesa and the detestable Lady
Euphrasia, by being raised to that station they had so long attempted
to prevent her attuning, and thus proving to them that virtae,
sooner or later, will oounleroct the designs of vice. He felt a degr**
of rapture at the idea of being no longer obliged to regret the ardent,
the nnabated affection he f^t for her.

His transports wore somewhat ohecied when she solemnly declared
B Dniou between them im])Oseible, and forbade his seeing her again.
He was piqued by the steadiness with which she repealed this reso-
lution, but her present weak state prevented his betraying a^y resent-
ment, and he flattered himself he would bo able to conquer her
obstinacy; he could not now indeed despair of any event after the
Duexpected restoration of Amanda to his esteem, and the revival of
those hopea of felicity, which io the oertdnty of having lost her had
bded away.

He retnrned, as Johnaten said, nu altered mat; Io the cwtle; he no

09 TBI ASBCT

1

sea ||

longer &iperienoed horror at estering Ihe dressing room, wliiuli diu-
p^jed BO nian; TMtJgea of lus AiDondu's taste.

He Tttsolved on on immediate union as the earest proof he could
K gtio of his perfect confidence in her siaceritj, not allowing himself
to suppose abe wonld continne Ann in tlie resolution the had recently
. trowed to him. He then intended setting off for London, and spar-
lag ndther time, trouble, nor expense, to obtftin from the inferior
I Sfenta in the plot laid against her, a full avowal of the part they had
dieuiselv«a acted in it, and all they knew relative to those performed
.fcf oth^ni. This was not designed for his own aatitfaotion; be
wanted no confirmation of what Amanda had aiiserl«d, aa hi« meaolng
Id uarry her immediately demonstrated ; it waa to cover with conft-
< ^D those who had meditated her destruction, and add to tiie horron
they would experience when tbej found her emerging from obscurity,
IS Misa FiUalnn, but La>ly Uortimer. Such prooQ of her mno-
1 would also prevent malice from saying be was a dupe of
Art, and lie was convinced, for both tlieir sakes, it was requisite to
, procure tliem ; be would then avow Lis marriage, return for his wife,
Introduce her to his friends, and, if his father kepi np any resentment
ftinst them longer than he expected, he knew, in Lady .Martha
Dormer's honse, and at Tudor Ball, he would find not only an eti^ble
'but pleasant reGidence. Those delightful schemes kept him awoke
luJf the night, and whun hcrTell asleep it was only to dream of hap-
piness and \inanda.

In t!ie morning, notwithstanding Ihe prohibition he had received
O the contrary, ha went to inqnire how she wa«, and to try to se«
ler. Tlie girl wlio had answered his repeated knocks the preceding
•rening, appeared, and told Lim Miss Fitzulan was very bad. — He
began to think that this must he a pretest to avoid seeing him, snd
e at the truth, was slipping a bribe into her hand, when slater
Jlary, who had been watching tLen from on adjoining room,
' tppeared and slapped this measure. She rejieated what the girl had
-jsst said, and, in addition to it, dealared that, even if Misa FitzaUn
was up, she wonld not see him, and that he most Mime no more to
Bt. Catiiarine's, aa 1>nth Misa Fitzoliin and the priorees would resent
inch rondnct exceedingly, and that, if he wanted to inquire after llM
health of the former, he might easily send a servant, and it would be
. moch better done than tc come trisking over there every moment

i

d

I

Lord Uonimer woa 8erioD.--ij dUi'leawd with tliia uiiceremoQiim
speech. "Sti 1 anppuse," cried he, "you want W make areul UQii of
Mias Fitznlun, and Co keep her from all con versa Mod."

"And a happy oreatnre she would he were she to beomne one of
ns," replied aiater Maryi "and as to keeping her from conversation,
ehc might have aa mocb an she pleased with an; one. Indeed I
believe the poor tiling likea yon well enoogh, the mure's her miiiror*
line fiT doing bo."

"Itliank yon, madam," cried Lord Mortimer; "I unppose it onn
of yonr vows to ipeak truth; if so, 1 mast acknowledge you keep it
rellginciHly,"

" 1 have JQst heard her," proceeded sister Mary, without minding
what Hho said. " tell the prioress a long story about yon and herself^
by which I find it was her father's desire she should have nothing
more to say to yon, and I dare nay Ihe poor gentleman had good
rcaMODS for doing so. I beg, my lord, yon will come no more here,
anil, indeed, 1 think it was a shame for yon to give money to tbt
aimpleton who anawered you. Why, it was enough to turn the girl'a
bend, and set her mad after one fallal or other,"

Lord Hi>rcimer ooold not depart without an effort to win sist«T
Mary over to Wis favour, and engage her to try and persnode Mias Fiu-
alan to permit his visila ; but she was inllexihle. He Clien entreated
to know if Amanda was so ill as to be unable to rise. She aaanred
him she was; and as some little consolation lo the distress she per-
ceived this Rssnraace gave him, aaid he might send when he pleased
to inignire after lier health, and she would lake care to answer the
raeeaenger herself.

Lord Morl'Tier began noT?(o be serionsly alarmed leat Captam Fitx-
alan had prevailed on his daughter to moke a solemn renunciation of
liiin: if this was iIiecaAe, he knew nothing cunid prevail on her to break
her promise. He was half distracted witli doubt and anxiety, whiofa
were scarcely supjiortable, when he reflected that they could not for
some time be satistied, since, even if he wrote to her for that pur-
pose, she could not at present he aide to answer his letter ; again ha
fult convince*] of the instability of earthly happiness, and tlie dose
ODiui«xion there has ever been between pleasure and pais.

or TMt ABB

CHAPTEB SSSVI.

Tei iLtigue, distress, and agitation of Amanda could no longer lie
•Crc^^ed witb ; she auak beoeath their viulcnce, and for a week was
Conttn:d ',i lier bed by tlie fever, which seized her in England, and
had "iveF since lurked in her veins. The whole sisterhood, who took
it in turn to attend her, vied with each other in kindnesu and care to
the poor invalid. Tiieir efforts for her recovery were aided by a skil-
fnl [diysicinn from the neit town, who colled wilNout lieirig sent for
at the convent. He uiid liu had known Cajitaln FilzaUn, and tlint,
'leariiif; that Miss Fitzidan was indisposed, he had coins in liupet ha
might he of service to the daughter of a mau he »o much esteemed,
lie wonld accept of no fee, and the prioress, who was a woman of
Eagacity, suspected, as well oa Antanda, that be came by the direction
of Lord Mortimer: nor were they mistaken, for, distrooted with
Bpprelienstone about her, he had taken this method of lightening bii
fears, flattering himself, by the eicellent advice he had pntcnred, her
recovery wonld be mnch expedited, and of coarse bis suspense at least
tenrinnted. The doctor did not withdraw Ills visits when Amanda
wax able to rise: he attended her punctually, and olten paid her long
vit^its, which were of infinite service to her spirits, as he was a man
of much information and cheerfi linens. In a few days slie was
removed from her chamber into a pleasant room below stairs, which
opened into the garden, where, leaning on tlie friendly doctor's arm,
or one of the nnna, she walked at different times a few miniiles enoh
day. Lord Mortimer, on hearing thia, thought he might aoir soliuil
an interview, and accordingly wrote for tliat purpose.

•■Lonl HDnlmir prcmiU kin «m|iUiiicDU lo >fl» FIiuIid, flatUn blnrwir •!» w»
Urn. Be anaw think ibi XU nfUK hlin in reuoDible ■ rcqnnt: b« 1i iiluio;l r-uti:ef<

hu eipeiiuiced on her mo

" Cailit Oarbirry, lOlA May,"

This letter greatly diatressed Amanda. Blie hod hoped Uie pain of
■gun I'eJeDting his visits aad requests woald liave been spared her.
mie guessed &t the expression he alluded to in hia letter; tliey wer»
those she hod dropped relative to the promise to her father, and,
fi^m the impetuous and tender feelings of Lord Mortimer, she easilj
conceived the agon; he would esperienoe when he found this prooiise
inviolalile. — She felt more for his distress than her own ; her heart,
seasoned in the school of adversity, oonld hear its sorrows with calm*
ness; hut this was not hla case, and she paid the tribute of tears to a
love so fervent, so ftutliful, and so hopejess.

Bhe then re<(oested sister Mar;, to acquaint his messenger that she
received no visits ; tiiat, as aha was tolerably recovered, she entreated
his lordship would not take tiie trouble of continning his inqairies
•bout her health, or to send her any more written messages, as she
was nnable to answer them. The priorees who was present when sba
reodved the letter, commended her exceedingly for tlie fortitude and
discretion she had manifested. Amanda had deeined it necessary to
inform her, after the conversation she beard between her and Lord
Jtortiraer, of Uie terras on which they stood with each other, and lis
prioress, who doubted whether his lordship was in reality as honoara-
bte aa he professed iiimsell^ thougbt Amanda on the sure side in
declining his visiti>.

Tlie next morning the doctor called as nsnal. Uc toid Amanda be
had brought her an entertaining book, for no such thing conld he pro-
cured at St. Catharine's; and, as she had espre^ised her regret at this,
from the time she lind been able to read, he had supplied her (ram
bis library, which was eilensive and well chosen.

lie did not present it to her till h* was retiring, and then aaid,
with a signiEcanl smile, she would find it contained something wor-
thy of her particular attention. Amanda was alone, and immeiliatcly
opened it. Great was her astonishment when a letter dropped from
it into her lap I She snatched it up, and perodving the direction in
Lord Mortimer's band she heHitated whether she ehonld open a letter
Mfifeyed in this manaM"; bnt to return it unopened was snrely •

lUght Lord Mortimer merited not, imd she broke the seal wlUi i
trembliog band aod a palpitating hearL

•■ To comptl Bic Id arr MnilKt«>« i" wrillat U run. KDd to i1(Mrr>T III* 4ellgh<fal bapH

vhleh had ipronj; In my k>uJ m the prospect oT b^ag kbont Id reeeir« a mnrd tor nf

\ tuffurLEigf' Am I CTiT to be iDToiTed tn doubta Aod perplexltj dd foar ftcdouil F Am 1

'• Tan moBL be Hoelble of the unklrTy I ihaU rod oalQ ji^ur untlguooe expreRtfcma lire

' tiitlf elpldoed, ud j-el 71111 reftue Ihli eipUnUliin 1 Bui you bkirc no pl>r fat aj

} fKllDfi. Would 11 not be niDce generooi Id roq to penult bji biUtrle* tfau U> keep me

^H Tul baprlDoa In chlmcrkul ideu of IbeiD. Borelj I iliiill act be loo prenimpluaiu In
^^ UT^ni. lh><i V >be refird Amiodi once daltered me wtUi, li undlntlDlibed, th« ■III. bj
rdtullug B union vtlh me, leaie me not Die onlj mArer.

nrar jou. Qh I my Auandt, from neb ■ iHm
bj ItklDB refq^e In blT vm, who will b« Co joi
baforfl ne^ ctUIi the oUifmtlone for keeplnr n
larly wben Uw mollTej which led to nch n p:
hnrt by Iho DnfbrtiiuM Eetlcf be TeeelTed from
•on, uil coUed npon yon. wllbout lellectUiK r
|lvo me up. Thie U Itaa only reuon I cu coi
hul I but (rrlTed whUe he could baie lliteoed

I

WlJt.^ III! It

Id Hudj to CTlnat hig Inlilude for neb a

I

This letter <ie«pl; afiucted the seasiLility, but could not shake the
reBolntioD of Amonds. She would not Lave answered it, as she
conaidered an; currespon deuce an infringement on tlie promisea ghe
bad pvca h«r father to decline any further intitDBo; with him : hat,
from the warmth and agitation displayed in his letter, it wa» evident
to her that if he did not receive an immediate anawer to it, he would
oome to St. Catliarlne^e, and Insiat on seeing her : and she felt Basurod,
that ahe would much better deliver her sentimentB upon paper than
to him. She aceordinKly wrote as fulluws;

i

Iw, IBj hnn linlu wltliiD n

10.— Ohf

bid 1 b«D tho i^nl; luArer, I iJiouia d«[

an rdt »

(mi ■ difrn or igDOj u

nduK. Bui I irlll DOL (I«pm1t .bout mj d

uiOuui

kind lo hli ilrWr, iFhlch m nnuiKdcUr

r«Hwl hw

bcrWU •tiprlrsd of «U ttnUj cuiDFiirt, m

.y 10 hl»

l.»c IwcD equiOJ J nwn^uJ.

liul I wlibud lo be eipllcll.

□t. Tuo Hon know mjr t»

Ira ;rau site knomjrMUiipi In pllj lo Umm

■pinma

•Br mnhcr codOIcu. Kij

Um lr.DtuU b^.t>lMH rm » Wuij itxtrn Hon

berouni

ihi DBl, nr lord, beuuc dlHppaln

W«Ww.»l.h-hld>yoa.r

dtd i II. ndflUliif lb. BUlmt irbieh jaur Wnrt^ row

w how irii1]t foa merit ihoH bleulnp , and

bulifaiU

uilcn KfTEli from your h

«i. lOT lard 1 luoer no unnuliKu on n>T

UtaTcn |Tul<i>x my urt. 1 HiLK no

ttenmi -):<», conKlou.

Kled ucordlnc lo Ux |>nucl|.^u of tlgl". I

htUrnlor

Il>t».l.llj«hlch««'.<l

Dd,KL(

blbll Ufa win, I Iruit. irer mi

Slie deapnlclied tliis by on oltl niui, who wu employed in iLe

I gATilen lit St, Catharine's ; but her spirits were so niuch affi>cte<I by

writing it, she was ohligcd to go np and lie on the bed. She coneid-

I veil herself as having taken a final adieu of Lord Uortimer, and tho

I idea was too painful to be supported with foriitnde ; tender and fcr-

f Tent as hi» attachment wn» now to her, sbe believed the horrj and

battle of tlie ttorld in which he tnn/it he engaged would Boon erodi-

Mte it ; a tracbfer of his affections to one equal to himself in rnnktuid

r fortune was a probable event, and of course a total expulsion of her

I from his memory would follow ; a deadly coldness stole npun her

I beart at the idea of being forgotten by bim, and produced a SoM. tA

L IQ

I

tun. She iLeu began to accnse hi^rself uf incun^i^Uiucj. 5bu bail
oftea thought, if Lord Mortimer was restored to happiness, she should
feol more tranqnillity ; and now, when the means of efTectlng this
restoration occnrrei!, she ti'embled and lamented as if it would
increase her miserj. " I am aelfish," said she to herself, " Id defiiring
the prolongation of an affection which mnst ever be hopeleHH: I am
weak, in regretting the probabilitj of its trousfer, as I can never
retnm it.

To conijuer those feelings, she fonnd she niiirt banish I/>ri! Morti*
mer from lier thonghts. Except she snc.eedediti some degree in this,
she ft>!t she never ahoold he nblo to exert tlie fortitade her present
Bitnation demanded. She now saw a prohahilitj of her esist«aoe
hciug prolonged, and the bread of idleness or dependence euuld never
be EWeet to Amanda FitTJiIan.

She had liiin abont an hour on the bed, and was about rising, ami
retnrning to the parlour, when sister Uary entered ilie ch.iruber, and
delivered lier a letter. Ere Amanda looked at tlie snpencriplion, her
agitated heart foretold her whom it came from. Slio wns not mista-
ken in her ooi^ectnre ; hut as she held it in her hand, she liesitate«l
whether sheahould open it or not, "Yet," said she to herself, "it
con be no p-eat harm ; he canuot, alter wliat I liave deelare<], siip|iuM
my resolution to be shaken. lie writes to assure me uf )iis perfect
acquiescence to it. Sister Mar; lett her at llie instant her dulibera-
tions ended, by opening the letter.

irnbleAiDudil Bat

Ibis laconic letter astonished Amanda. By its style it was evideni
Lord Mortimer had recovered his cheerfnlness ; reci>vcrc<! it not fr nn
a delemii nation of giving her np, hnt from a lifpe of tlnir again

r

or fax ABBBT.

asa

meeting, as they could both wish. A sodden traoiiptirt rushed npon
her heart at siieli an idea, I'Ut quickly died away when she reflected
!t wBB almost beyond tlie [loaslbilily of things to bring about a pleaa-
iDg interview between them. — Slie knew Lord Mortimer hitd a
■anguine temper, and Uiough it might mialced him, she rt^solved it
abonld not mislead her. She could not form the most distant Htiriniae
of what he had now in agitation ; hut whatever it was, she firmly
believed it would end in disappointment. — To refuse every request of
his woa painfnJ ; but propriety demanded she should not aOJede to
the last ; for one etep, she wiiiely considered, from tlje I'oe st pru-
dence she had marked out fur herself to take, might plunge iier in
difficulties from which she would flud it impoasihle toextricute her»elf.
With an unsteady hand ahe returned the following answer.

"Mr Lou;
"1 cuiDOT eomplj wlUi t^"^ re^Ht: rem Brnj* If roB plcftK, ntitKt Inexorfcbtp

rlDii'i la Id miTHir udI
mr lordflhtp** pawer

'MfiyW*. a.

Scarcely had Klie sealed this letter when ahe was called to dinner;
bnt though she obeyed the summons, she could not eat. Tho exer-
tions lier writing 1o Lord Mortimer required, and the agitation hia
letter had thrown her into, quite eiliauated her strength and spirits.
Tlie nuns witlidrew soon after dinner, and left her alone with the
prioress. In a few minutes after their departure, th" cla /ftra*i er
returned from Caatle Corberry, where he had been delit-eriiig li«r
letter. After informing her he had put it anfely 'nto his lordxliiti'i^
hbnds, lie added, with a look which seemed to indicate a (ear le^t »l.e
ahoold be distressed, that he had received ndthei letter nor inees^Ke
from him, tliough he waited a long time in expectation of reieiving
either one or the other; but be supposed, he said, his lurdahtp waa iu

364

BT.

too great a Ijurrj' just tlien to pve any anavrcr, as a cbtuse and ftmi
was waiting lo curry hiin to Dublin.

Atnaticliil)i}r»t into tenra as tLe man retired [^orn the runtn. Sha
aaw eLe liad wntten to Lord Mortimer for ibe lost time, and abe
•ouH ni' supiiress tliia tribute of regret. Slie was tiriuly convinced,
fndeec', ^be sliould bebold bim no more. Tbe idea of vi»iiJng her,
atie was sore, nity, slie hoped he would relinqiiisb, wlien be fuuud
(wliich abe BU|i[HMed would soon be tJie cane) tbe auhemes ur bopes
which Duw buoyed up hia spirits iiDposgible to be realised.

'ilie prioress sympathized in her sorrow ; though Dot from her own
uperieoue, yet' fi oiu the experience of others, she knew how danger-
ous and bewitching a creature uisn in, and huw difflcnit it is to
rvmove tne ohtuns which he twines around tiie female heart : to
remove tbiise which lay so heavy upon tbe delicutu and tu-sceptlble
heart ol her young friend, without leaving a curroHive woanil, was
her (dacere wisli, and ly strengthening her resolution, sbe boj>ed sno-
veas would ciiiwn Ihcir endeavours.

T*o hours were ela|>sed since her messenger's return iVom the
caatle, when sister Mary entered the room witl> a large packal, whioh
she pnt ioto Amanda's banda, saying, it was given her by Lord Mor-
timer's servant, who rode olf tlie moment he delivered it '

Sister Mary made no scruple of saying, she should Uke to know
what such a weighty packet contained.

The prioress chid her in a laughing manner for her ourio^ity, and
drew her Into tbe garden, to give Amanda an oppurtnnity of exuuin-
iog the cnntonts.

She was surprised, on breaking the seal, to perceive a very band-
some pocket-bouk, in a blank cover, and found, unsealed, a letter to
this effect :

tti* alBi:fln belong ni Ui Ibe rcflmeot, I d^U^r injrHlf

mlifartuDe. Hj hlond baUi with IndlffiUln
lie 10 Kiln mno lulelU.

•Her jou nDUld b* iniLy ImuppormblB, Too hitn lUreiuij raftaed to Infonn qk of joor
dMcnulnaDan retnllie u Ihli uiiwr; niralj I nuj Tenuin U roqanl II nay ba w I

*<Ttr tola Inio jnur pi«MDn him, Irbi, Icl Uilnja luro out u tfaoj un;. miut anr

ir hi Ih fill

"Jloni

"Grucioa» IieavenI" B&id Amnnda to herself, " wliat ciui he nieiuit
whuC scheme can he liave in ogilnlinu which will removo ttio obsta-
cles to our anion? ile Lere Mems to agieBk ol' a certainty of sitcoees.
Oh I grant ineraiful power I" site coiUimied, raiviiig her meol: eyes to
houven, whilo a niaj bJiiHh »Uile iipoo her checks, "grant that indeed
lie may b© soocesaftil. He tulks of returuiug to Irelioid. Still," pro-
Cfleded she, rending over the letter, "na[uiririg Bomething more
powerfnl clmn my assiiranc* to convince liira of the fallauy of hU
hopflu ; BUtvlj Lord Mortimer would not be so oruBl as to raise
eipcctHtiiiiij in niy bosom, witliout iiu»e in bis own were well
lliunded. No, dear Mortimer, I will not call you a romtuittc
visionary, but the most amiable, the moat generoog of rnen, who, for
poor Amanda enconntcni difficulties, and aacrificos every splendid
expectation." Bhe rejoiced at the intention he had declared of
seeking ont Oscar, She looked forward either to a speedy interview,
or sjioedy intelligence of this beloveil brotlier, as she knew Ijord
MortiTiier would seek liim with the persevering spirit of bcuovolence
and leave no moans untried to rei«toi-e him tn her.

Bhe now examined tlie contents of tlie poeket-book ; it contained i.
I number of smtUl bills K" >l>e auioont of two hundred jhi inds — a luriw
, pre.icnt, hut one so delicately presented, that )ven ber ideas of pro-
priety oould scarcely raise a scruple against her acecptia(^. TV,>f^ ^Vv-

I

I

Iiowerer, enggeat ono: nnoerUUn how matters woald jet termin&to
bviwecn lier and Lord Uurtiiner, she was anwilling to receive any
pepiitiiary oblinations frora him ; but, when she reflected on his noble
md I'eeliug beajt, slie knew she shonld severely wound it by retum-
t.ig his [irescnt: she 'berefore roaulved un keeping it, making; a kind
of coniproniise with her feelings abaut the matter, by detormining
tliat, except entitled to receive tliera, she would ucrer mure aooept
ihvoiire of ibis nature from his lurdabip.

TtiD prexcnt one indeed was a most seasonable relief, and removed
from her heart a loud of anxiety which Iiiid wclgbed on it. AJler
paying lier father's fiinsral expenses, the peojile with whom be lodged,
aiul Ibe a|ii>thecftry who had attended him, sbe found herself miatrest
of but twenty gumeas in tlie whole world, and more than half of th!*
alio wHisidered aa already dne lo tlie benavolent aistcra of St.
Ca'.liiirini's, who were ill able to aSbrd any additional expense.

She bad reM>lved to force tlieiu to accept what indeed she deemed
A pcnr rotDrn for Iheir kindnesa to ber, and she then intended to retire
tn M me obneure hovel in the neigbboiirhood, as better snited to the
btate of her finances, and continne there till ber health was snffioiectly
restored, to enable ber to make exertions for her livelihood ; but she I
shiicldered nt the ide>a of leaving 8t. Cntbarine's and residing among
a set iif boors ; ihe felt sen^utions something similar to those we iiiay
snppiMe a person would foci, who was about being comn'itte>^ to A
tempeKluona ocean, without any means of security.

Loi'd Miirlimor had prevented the necessity which bad prompted
her to think of a removal, and she now resolved to reside at leait for
the time he had meniioncd in the convent, during wliioh she supposed
ber uncertainties rtlaiive to him wouM bo over, and that, it it was
not her fate to be hi;^, she should, by tlie perfect re-establishment of
her health, )« cnahleo to nse her abiUtit^ in the manner her situation
required. Tears of heartfelt gralitade and aensibility flowed down 1
bercbeefcs for him who iiad ligiitened lier mind of the care which had
Ml oppressed it.

She St length recollected the prioress bad retired into the gai'ilcti
from eoinplusance to her, and yet continued in it, waiting, no doubt,
to be Bummoned hack by her. Bhe hastily wiped awny ber tears, anil I
folding up the preoioas letter, which was t>eden'ed with tlioni. ]
reyiaired to the (ardon, resolving not to commnnicalo its conteutK, as |

t D KE

307

die diviilKcment of expecUitiutia (cuuaitleriDg how liiLbld ivll Luiiiau
wiiea are to be disappointed) abe ever wmsidered a picre of foil)-.

Slie found Llie priori.«3 and sister Uary seated nnder a brokun and
ivj-covered arub. " Jeau I my dear," Boiil the latter, " I Ihoiiglit Juu
wirnld never come to us. Onr good niolher bas been lit«pirig m.'-
Iiere in spite of my t«eth, tbough I told lier tlie Eweet vakat I iimdo
fur lea would bo burned by this time, aud tLnt, supposing jou were
reading a lettur from Lord Mortimer, there could be no liiinii in ni^
seeing you.'' Atnaada relieved the impalteut Mary, aud she <«ok her
Bfcat, — The prioress cast her pierdug eyea wpou her. She jier'jeived
she had been weeping, and that joy, rather than sorrow canned tier
tears. She was too delicate to inqnire into its source, but she took
Aninndfl's hand, and gave it a pressure, which seemed to sny. "I see.
my dear child, you have met with sometliing which pleases you, and
my heart sympathizes as mach in your happiness ob iu your grief."

Amanda retnrned tlje aSVctionate pressure with one equally tender,
and a starting tear. Tliey were soon called by siiiter Mary to partake
i>r the hot cokes, which she had made indeed in hopes of templjng
Ainanda to cat bSUt her bad diimer; the whole commnuity were
Hsseijibled at tea, when the doctor entered the parlour. Amanda .
blushed and looked grave at hia first entrance; but he soon rallied
her out of her gravity, aud when the prioress and the nnns, yconling
to custom, had withdrawn to evening vespers, he said, with a signifi-
cant smile, " he feared she had not attended as much as he wished
*he should to the contents of the book he had hut brongli^ her."
She saw by his manner he was acqutdnted with her siiuation rehitiTe
to Lord Mortimer, and tlierefore repliud by saying, " that perhnpn, if
he knew the motives which influenced her conduct, he would not
tliiiik her wrong in disregarding wtiat he had just meiitiuned." — Sba
also said "she detested all kinds of etratagems, and was realty
displeased with hitn for practising one upon her." i

"In a good cause," he smd, "he should never hesitate using one.
Lord Mortimer was the finest yoang fellow be bad ever seen, and hail
wi)n his favour and the bast wishes of his heart, from the first moment
that he beheld hini. He made wie contrive," continued the doctor,
*' a story to gain admission to your ladyship, and when I fuand him
■o dreadfully anxious about yon, I gave yon credit (as I had then nu
opportunity of judging for myself ) for all ltiet\'rt,"w* a'Av;'''*"*'^*

tK

ascribed In jon, and which I have since perceiveil j-oit to jxnuw^
Ton tmilo, nad locik as if you called me a flatlerer ; aerjuiisly 1 assnre
jou I am not one : I really thiol! you worthy of L<ird Mortimer, and,
] vsnre yon, that h as great a compliment as could be paid to utj
womun. Tlii mind was troubled with grief; he reveidcd his ironblei
and perplexities to me, and, after heuring tlieni, uo good christian
jTer prayed more devoutly for another, than 1 prayed for yonr
rec'very, that all juur Borrows, like a novel, migbt terminate In
iuarriage."

" You are ohllging in yottr wishes," said Amanda, smiling.

'Faith, I ara sincere in them," exclaimed be, "and do not knuw
■rhen I have been so disconcerted at things not turning out sinootblv
between you and liis lurd^bip ; hut 1 will not despair: in all my own
troubles, and Heaven has glTen me my share, I ever looked to the
bright side of things, and shall always do so for my friends. I yet
Aspect *« see yuu settled at Castle Carberry, and to be appointed
myself physician-general to yonr ladyship's bonsehold.'' Tlie mentioD
of ^n event, yet so uncertain, greatly agitated Aii^anda; she blushed
Bid fumed pale nllemately, and convinced her (iiood-nntnrei], but
loquacious friend, he bad touched a chord which could not hear vibra-
tion. Ee hastily changed the discourse, and, aa soon as he saw bet
composed, rose to take bis leave. Amanda detained him for a minute,
to try an^ prevail on him to take a ten-^inea note; but he wu
Inflexible, and said with some archness, "till ihe disorder which
preyed upon I,ord Mortimer's heart was in some decree alleviated, he
'WOUid receive no recompense for his visit«, wliich be as.<:nred Amanda,
fnm time 'o time, be should continue to pay her; adding, a certun
, erson had enjoined him now and then to take a peep within the hulj
walls oi8t. Catharine."

The next morning Amanda set about a temporary arrangement of
^er affltirs. Sbe (iresentcd thirty guineas to tlie sisterhood, whioli,
witli much difHcnlty, alie forced them to acnept, thongh, in reality, it
wu muish reqnired by them ; bnt when she came to speak of paying
hr a contionance, they positively declared ibey wonld agree to do
•Qoh thing; as she had already so liberally rewarded them for any
aspease tbey might have incurred od lier accoimt. She told them,
~ ,t if they would not agree to be pcud for lodging and board, ah*
wvnld certainly leave them, lliongh *xuh a M«p was Mintrnry tahti

•ndjuation ; elie osBureil them siso, aha was at presi^iit well nlile to

pBJ.

At last it was settled glio should give them at tlig rule of forty
poonds a jear — a salary they thought estreinely aiiii»If, ciiDsidering
tlie plain manDer in -which they lived. She then iioil all the tliingi
which helonged to her father and herself brought to tlie conveut, and
bad the former, with whatevershe did not immediatt'ly want,na!lodup
in a large chest, that on a short notice they might be roiuoved. Her
harp and piilar she had in her distress projiosed sending back to tha
person inDnblinfrora whom tliey were pnreliased, to sell for her; bat
Bhe now determined to keep these presents ofher iicloveJ father, exoept
again nrged by neoeasity to part with thern. She bad a variety of
materiala for piling and working, and pmpoeed emjiloying herself
In eiecnting pieces in each way, not only as a means of amusing ber
time, bnt as a resonroe on an evil day : thus wisely making nse of the
present gonahine, lest another storm should arise, wliich she sboiilj
not be M> well able to straggle against.

OHAPTEH XXXVil.

Thb turbnlence of grief, and the agitation of flnsjiensc, gradually
lessened in the mind of Am&nda, and were sacceeded by a soft and
pleasing melancholy, which sprang from tlie roust iotisneas of having
always to the best of Iicr abilities, [icrfoniied the duties imposed
upon ber, ant! snfjportcd ber miaforttmcs with jilai'id resignation.
She loved t« th(nk of her father, for amidat ber sighs for bis loss,
were mingled tbe delightful ideas of having ever been a sonrco of
comfort to bim, and she believed, if departed spirits were allowed to
review this world, his wonld look down npon her with delight and
approbation, at beholding ber nndeviating in the path he marked ont
for her to take; the calm derived from mth rneditationa she consid-
I, CKd «■ a recompeDse f^ raanv norrowi; it ^as vni^, \w^\k«!^ i>

DoUiiug eartb'y ^vea, or can destroj, and what tlie good iniist ttnx
eipericnca, 'IiongL ^'viiiiUt the wreck of umtUr and tlie orusli of
wt>;!ds."

(4)ie tried to prevent liet thciglits from ntunlecing to Lord Murtimer,
•IS die surest meana 5f TetAiniiig 'jer conipLBiiro, wliiuU Utd wlieuevef
aIib rcdected iu the doub^ul balance in ivhi(;L Ler fate jel hung cun-
<«rniiig him.

Thu solitude of St. Gathaiine's was well adapted to her present
fiituution nod frame )' tniaJ. She was neither teazed wilh iinperti-
iient or inmeanin^ icremojy, but, perfucl mistress of her own tune
and actions, veeti, worked, and walked, an most agreeable to liendf.
litie did ^ut eitend her walks bejoud the convenl, as tlie scenea
arouiid .t would awaken remeiubniacea she Lad not sufficient forti-
tude to bear; but the space it covered was ample enough to aSbrd
her many dilTerent aud eitecHive ramblus; and of a slitl evening,
^'Iteu notliiug but the lowing of the cattle, or tlie bnziing of the sum-
iiier-ilie'j, w^ to he heard, she loved to waoder through the sulenin
and romantic ruius, aometimee accompanied bj a nun, but much

371

li« Bore, tt.« rery first tliiog I hmxi ivrs of the pcM^r mptniu'R daath.
Don't cry, mj dear, we must all gn uiie time or aniiilier; thine an
things of course, u the doctor soys in his semioii ; so when 1 heani
ot yiiiir tuiher'e death and yoar distrae?, I began to caet nbout in my
hroin Huiiie plnn for helping yon, and at Ills'! 1 hit upon one, whinh,
snjH I to the giria, will delight the pour bduI, as it will give her an
«[)|n)rtmiiiy ol' eai-ning decent bread for herself. You must know,
[iiy dear, the tutoresa we brunght to town would not come back
witu na — a dirty trollop, by the bye, and 1 think Ler {ilacfi would be
quite the thing tor you. You will have the four young girls Xa learn
French, and work to, and I will eipect you, oa you have a good taste,
to assist the Meat Uiss Eilcorbana in making up their things and
dressing. — I f(ive twenty guineaa a year. When we have no oom-
piiiiy, the tutoress always eits at the table, aud gets, besides tliis, tha
boat of treatment in every respect,"

A hluiih of indignation had gradnnlly conquered Amanda's pale-
ness, during Mrs. Eilcorhan'a hiag and eloquent speech — " Tour
inCentivna may be Irieadly, madau," cried she, " bat I must declino
your proposal."

" Ble..j me, and why must you decline it I Perhaps you think yonr-
Bolf not qualified to instruct: indeed this may be the case, for people
often ge'b credit for acoomplishmenls ihey did not possess. Well, if
this is so I am still coolant ti take you, as yoa were always a dec«nl
bvhaved young body. lnde«<d you cannot expect I should give yoa
twenty guineas a year: no, act, 1 must make some abatement in tlie
salary ; it I am forced to get master" to help in learning the girla."
"MUs Fivtalan, madam," excUtiiiieil tlie prioreis, who had hitherto
continued silent, "never got credit fur accomplishments which she
did not poiiesa ; her modesty baa rather obscured than bluzonod forth
her perfections; she does not, llierefure, madani, decline your otfer
frura a consciousness of inability to undertake the office of instructor.
but from a conviction she never could support impertinence and
foily; should her situation ever require her to exert her talents for
subsistence, I trust she will never experience the mortification of
associating wil'i those who are luseo.'tible of her worth, or unwillinfi
to pay her the respect she merits."

"Hoitj toity," cried Mrs. Eilcorban, "wliat aaanrancel Wliy,
inadftTn, many a betiv man's oLild would be glad to ^uuiv li. '«'a.<^V la^

I

I

I

373 cHiLDRKS (J IT iiiK AHcar.

" HeRT rasiJiiTii," Kail! Miss Kilwirban, " purliaps the yoQng ladj hu
K bettor settlement m rien*. We IbrgcC Lord Mortimer bas beon lat«ly
ftt Cautlo Cnrberrj-, aiid we all know his lunUliip h a frieni] to Oaptain
Fitailan's daughter. '
I " Or, perhaps," orieil Misa Alicia, in a giggling tone, " she mesns to

"Indeed, I Enppose she ineons to be nothlni; good," rejoined Hre.
Kilcorban, "and I suppose it waa bj some impertiDence or other aha
hod B tiff with Lady Greystock. Lord I (looking ronnd llie nwm)
only see her music books — her harp — her guitar — as if slio had noth-
ing to do but sing and Uimm away the whole day. Well, miss,"
rising from her chair, "joo may y el be sorry your friend Bald bo
DiQch about you. I did not come merely to offer to take you into my
honsc, but to offer yon also a good eum for your barp and gaitar,
supposing yon bad no business with such things now-a days; but 1
dare soy you would have refused this offer."

"I rortninly should, ma:Iaii]," said Amanda; "it must be strong
necessity, which compels ma lo part with my beloved father's pro-

"Well, well, child, I wish lliis pride of thine may not yet b«
bumbled," Bo saying she fiounced out of the room, followed by her
daughters, who, ander an affectation of contempt, evidently showed
tliey were chagrined by the recep'.ion they had met.

The prioress indulged herself in a lotig fit of laughter, at th*
pas&ion in which she had tlirowo Krs. Stlcorban ; and Amanda, who
considered the lady and her daugliters as the most insignificant of
. beings, Eooa recovered from Uie discomposure their visits had

In the course of the eveiiirg a l^'.ter was delivered her hy tlio

u T^nt, who said the m'wsengB." who brought it waited for an

Amanda, in » nniversal trepidation, broke the seal; but,

Instead of I^o.d Mortimer's, as she expected, a hand, to hor entirely

struck lier ciew.

[■KKATCRE.

"1 think I WHS never so diverted in my life as
loy iiiolliLT and nistors gave of the reception tliey

373

I

^m CHILDREM or TRR ABDET

H <4>vilisli fine girl as you are, would sacrifice ytmi time io iiistracting
^^ A parcel i>r cliita, when it can be devoted to ao much better purpose.
^^ To be brief, my dear girl, I will taite yon immedrately under my pro-
teotion: if not yonr own fault, bring jou to Dublin, settle jou in
elegaut lodgings, with a handsome allowance, and not only make yon,
but declare you, to be the grand snltana of my affections, a sitnation
which, I can assure yon, yon will not be a little envied enjoying. In
your anawer Io this, I shall eipect to hear when I may have the feli-
city of bringing you out of oteeurity, to the brilliant scene you were
formed to ornament. Adieu my dear.

" Believe me yonr devoted,

" B. XlLOOBSAK."

The indignation which filled Amanda's breast, at reading this scroll,
cannot be eipressed. Her blood seemed to boil in her veins; it was
some time ere she conld sufficiently compose herself to acquaint the
prioress with the cause of her agitation ; it was then agreed that the
letter iibould bo retnrued, with the following lines written on it.

"Thfiulhorsr Ui

d iipperUatDi

dltfa*

That a repetition of this tind would be the case she did not believo.
From Kilcorban, she had no rea»on to suspect either tlie perseveroncs
or designs of Belgrave ; one was a libertine from principle, and the
other she believed from fosliion, and that to pique bis pride would be
ft sore method of getting rid of him.

But the calm she had for some time experienced was destined to bo
interrnpted. The neit morning brooght fatlier O'Gallaghan, the little
fat priest (of whom we have made mention before in oor pages) to
the convent, he was not the officiating priest, but notwithstanding
this paid many visits to the sisterhood, with whom he whs a great
fcvourite ; he had been ranch concerned al)oot Amanda's illness. She
was sitting alone in the parlour, drawing, when he entered it. He
'leated himself by her, and the expression of his countenance seemed
'a declare his heart was brimful of something pleasant.

" You won't be offended now, my dear aowl," said be, smirliing np
in her face, "with a body for asking you how you would like U- 'eave
this dismal Bolitude, and have a comfortable home of your I'Wj,
where JOU might see your own friends, and have evory thing vnrra
and Bosy about you."

174

THE ABBST.

I nut coHHider this ftdiamal aoli-
oUjectiori to a pleasant settled

" Why," Mid Amanda, " though I
tnde, yet, to be Mte, I sbauld bave i
liabliaiion."

" Ay, I always thought yoa a sen^ibla yoang body. Well, Mai
what would you say to tlie persoQ tbt^n who coulU point ont snoh ■
habitation ; ay, you little rogue, wlin raudd tsaj they had just anch B
one in their eye for you 1"

Amanda stared at him with ostoniehmeDt. She had at first b«ltflTed
liim jestiiiR, but now found him serious.

" Ay, faith, my dear rreatore," cried ho, continuing hia diBoonnc^
n'ith a look of the most {lerfect saiisiuction, " I liave an offer to maka
yon, whicli 1 iieliere would make many girls jump out of tlieir lAioa
witli juy t»> benv."

" Yt n remember the O'ETonaglisns, 1 am sure where yon look te«
last Bt-'umur. Well, the oldrat of the sons (as honest n Ind as ever
bruke bread) cost a aheep's «yo upon you thon; but what witL yoiut
going trim the conntry, and some oll)er matters, he thought titer*
wn3 no use tlicn in revealing his tlntno ; but now, when you are ctmxo
p In his way again, faith lie pln«ked up hia courage, and t<ilil hia

OUILDREK 0 1 THZ ABBET, 37S

numner site wit'lied; she therarure stoppett and turuiiig to hlra said,
'' He could QuL wonder at her beiiig olfeiidcHl at his preteudiiig to
answur BO (tveiy for her, in nmttcra so important as religiun ; but to
prove how preuumptuoiu he was ia every thing he said about lier, sjie
must assure hiiii, hia embassy to lier wa« eqnally fruitltss and di»-
Kgreeable : and that if Ur. O'Flanagli&a conauited his owa happineas,
br would seelt to unite Liuiaelf with a woman brouglit up iu his own
sphere of life." So saying, she quitted the room, with a iook of
dignity, which quite coufuunded the poor pricat, nho enaldied np
b)B hat in a great hurry, and waddlod away to the farm, to oommnni
eate the ill succeaa of faie vibit, which had quite (^niehed his ezpeciA-
tiona of wedding presents, and pudding feasts, which he had oonlem-
plal«d in idea with delight.

It was Bome time ere Amanda recovered &ora Uie discomposurs
Into which the impertinence of the Kiicorbans and the priest bad
thrown her. From what slie suffered in consequence of it, she wu
fbrcihly convinced how ill qualified she was to etrn|;gle with a world
where she would be continually liable to such shocks: she had yet a
hope of escaping them — a hope of being guarded by the tutelary ean
of Lord Mortimer and of being one of the happiest of her aez.

CHAPTER XXrVill.

WILh Jui^u] IldlDgi— WE ibKU ]>ul no more.

But a shock more severe thnn those she had lately experienced
was yet in store for our hapless heroine. About a fortnight after tho
Tisit of tlie Kilcorbans and the priest, as she waa rambbng >>ne eTnr-
ing, acconling to oustou, amongst the solitary ruing of St. (Jai barmo'ei,
bdulging the pensive meditations of her soul, the figore of a maa
•nddenly darted from under a .broken arch, and discovered to he?
Tiew the featnres of the hated Betgrave. Amanda pave a faint cry,
[ luid in Ttnntterafale diamay tottered back a few paces against a wall.
KCntel Amanda," nolainied Belgrave, while hi* loik seamcl ta

imply he would take advantage of Ijer eiluation ; his look, liis volet
operated like h charm to ronae her friirn the kind of stupefaction into
vhicli she had fallen at first sight of him, and, ta he atlemjited to laj
bold of her, she spraug past hini, and, Avith a au'iftness whit'h mockad
bia speed, flew tJirough tiie intiicftte windings of the place till sbe
re&cbed the convent. Her pale and distracted look, us she rushed
into the prioress' apartment, terrified the good old ladj, who hastily
iiiterrognted her as to Uie canae of her disorder; bnt Amanda waa
unahlo to epeak. The appearaoco of Belgrave she thought an omen
of every ill to her. Her blood ran cold through her veins at his
eljht, and terror totally subdued her powers. The prioress snm-
moned sister Mary lo her relief; drops and water were administered,
and the overloaded heart of the trembling Amanda was relieved Uy
tears. The prioress again asked the cniise of her agitation ; but, per-
ceiving Amanda did not like to speak before sister Mary, she lmm»>
diately pretended to think it proceeded iVom fatigue; and Uary, who
was simplicity itself, readily credited the idea. The prioress ioon
sent her upon some pretext from the room, and then in the gentlest
t«rtns, begged to know what had bo pmelly alarmed her young friend.
Amanda bad already confided to the prioress the events of her life, so
that the good lady, on hearing Belgrave now mentioned, no lunger
wondered at the agitation of Amanda; yet, as her fears, she saw,
were too powerful for her reason, she endeavoured to convince her
they were QDueceeEary. She called to her remembrance the singular
protection she had already eiperienoed from Heaven, and the proleo-
tion which, whilst she was innocent, she would still have a right to
expect. She also mentioned the security of her present eiiuatioti,
encompassed by friends whose integrity could cot bo warped, and
whose ntmoBt zeal would be mauifeeled in defeating any stratagems
which might he laid against her.

Amanda grew composed as slie listened U> the prioress; she wm
cheered by t'e voice of piety and friendship, and her heart again felt
f^rm and elevated. She acJinowIedged that, after the singular, nay,
almost mtracutona interposiljona of Providence she had experienced
in her favoar, to give way to terror or despair was sinfnl, since it
•'flowed a distrust of tlie Power, who has promised, with gnardisr
oirB, to wnleh the footsteps of the innocent.

It was, however, ngreed that Amanda should venture no mirs

from iho LVDVenl, but ounilue her rambles to the garden, wliioh v/u
enclosed with a high wall, and had no plaoea of concealment, Fiva
weoki jut remaioed of the period Lord Uortimer hod rciuested lier
to stay at St. Catharine's; before it waa expired, she trusted and
odieved Belgrave would be weAry of wntoliing her, and wuold
Ocuatiip; if then she neither saw nor heard li'ura Lord Mortimer, she
resolved to relinqulah all hope concerning biu, and iiuinediutel;
think Dpon som« plan, whioh would put her Id a naj of priwuring
kubeisteucQ.

Her paintings and embroiderj still went ou; she had eiecnteil
some elegant pictures in both, whicb, if obliged to dispose ot, she ■am
Bare would fetch a good price; jet, whenever coQipelleu hy reflectioa
to Uiis idea, the tear of tender melancholy would fall ujion her lovelj
cheek, a tear whicli was ever luutlily wiped away, while she endea-
voured to fortify her mind with pious reaignatiuu to wIiateTer iihould
be her fiiture fate.

Three weeks more elapsed without any event to dipi-ompose Uieir
tranquillity; but as the teniiinatiunof lliedestiaed [leriod '^iproaclied,
the agitation of Amanda, in spite of all her ellijrts to the contrary,
increased; she deemed the awl'ul crisis of her fate at hard, and she
treiubled at the retleotion.

Bhe now, for the first time, avoided solitade; she wa''ted to 6j
from herself^ aod sat constantly with the prioress, who hrd notlilug
_ nf Ilie gloomy recluse, save the habit, about her.

I They were chatting logetlier one evening ofler tea, when sister
lUry entered the room, bearing a lai'ge iMicket, which she rather
loeaed than presented to Aiuauda, exclaiming, 'Trom Lord Morti-
mer. I wish the truublesome fellow hod not come back otfS'u; here
we shall bai-e him frisking or storming ountinually, and agai:i plagu-
iug ns out of our lives."

"From Lord Mor:imer!" exclaimed Amanda, starting fn 'u her
chair, and clasping the letter between lier hands; "Ulil gracious
heaven']" She saiil no more, but flew (rum the room to hi>r cham-
ber. She tore open the seal; the envelope contained two h'ters;
the firat was directed in a hand unkuown to her ; iier heart sii-kerieil
sj slje dropped it OD the ground ; the other was tlie «ui<isr:n;ri| linn of
I.onl Mortimer. She opened it with revived spirits, and tiad lu

fiJillW*-

i

"I Bin retnmed, retamed to toll my Aiiinnda that nothing bnt tl
awful fiat of Uettven Bliall purt ua more. Yes, my love, a aweet
reward for all our difficulties, our trials, let nio add, our peraeTerinj
cuTiAtaucy is at hand, and one name, one interetit, one tatc, I Irns^
will aoon be ours,"

TeftTS of joy gushed from Amanda aa she exclaimed, " Can tbis — ■
can tliU be true) la I^ord Mortimer, eo long, so hopelessly beloved,
indeed returned to toll me w<\ shall part no morel 'Tis trne, ti»
trne, and never con tny grateful heart BufEciently ausnowledge Um
goodnesB it eiperiencea; but how was tJiis event brought aboatt"
Bhe wiped away her tears, and resumed tlie letter.

" Your solemn refusal to unite yonrself to roe, threw me mt« d)(o-
nie« ; hut true love, like true courage will never despair, will nerar

iield to difficulties, without first trjmg every ellbrt to conquer them I
soon, therefore, roused myself from the heavv weight wbitJi
oppressed my spirits at jour resolution, and ere long oonoeived a pro-
ject so feasible, so almost certain of success, that my jrapatieiice to
realize it cannot be described ; yet you luay oonueive some idea of it
from tliB abrupt manner in which I quitted Castle Carberry, withoot
dediring to hid you adieu ; but, ere it conld bo accomplish ed, 1 plaint;
saw I bad many difliculties to encounter; difficulties which it wu
absolutely eesentiol \o overcome, that 1 might prove to tlie world 1
was not the dupe of love, bat the friend, the lover, and the Tindic»-
tor of real itmoccnce and virtne. From what I have said, yon may
suppose the difficulties I allude to were such as I exi>ected to
enconnter iu my attempt to unravel the whole of the deep and exe-
crable plot which inrolved you iu a situation so distressing to your
foelin|;s, and injurious to your characterl and, ohi with what
mingled pride and pleasure did I meditate on being your champion,
clearing your fame fVom each dark aspersion, and proving, clearly
proving, tiint your mind was m lovely, as angelic, as your personl

" I was hajipy, on my arrival in London, to find Lady Martha Dop-
mor slill at Lord Oherbury's house. I have already told you that I
left town on pretence of visiting my sister in Wales. My ftther, I
BOOD perceived, suspected that had not been the real moUve of 1117
departure : b'tt I soon perceived he did not desire to reveal his siu-
picions, as he asked me some qneslions concerning Ijidy A.aminlo,
which, yon may be sure, 1 answered uwkwni'dly enough, and had n
comic writer been present, he might have taken the hint of a goml
blundering scene &um us both.

"The Marijuis of Rostino and bis family, I learned, continued at
Itis villa. I'lieir absence from town rejoiced me, as it not noW
tji'iiipted 1110 flora society I abhorred, but as it gave me nn oj'poF'

tortty of int«rrc^ting their hoaselioH, amongst whom [ was pi,n-
Tinccil 1 should diauuver the trusty Bgecits thu nmiiLble uiarcliiDne^a
hsd mode use of in her acheine ujjainst you, Tbu iiiDniiii^ Mler in;
arrival, I accordingly set off to Porlman Sinare. TIkj tiian w.o
ofiened the door kiitiw me not, whiab 1 conaidered a luoky cirouin-
staiioe, for, not being able to mention my name to tlie huuM-keeper.
whom I desired him to send ma, she was not so mucli on her guati
aa sliu would otherwise have been. She started oil she entered the
parlour, and lifted np Iter bands and eyes with unfeigned Bstuuiah-
tueiit. Soon, however, recovering herselK she addressed me In Iha
most obsequious manner, and spoke as if she supiHttied I was coino
purposely to inquire after her I*rd and Lady ; an artl'id way of try-
ing to terminate her own suspense by learning the uaiuro of my
visiC. I Boun gave iier to uuderetand it Via» not of tlie moi>t luu'oab o
kind la her: 1 came, I naid, to demand either Ihe letter, or an
aucoiint of the letter which I had entrusted to her caru fur Hisa
Fitzalan, which contained a note of large value, and which I
found had never been received by that young lady. Her counte-
nance In a moment condemned her: it spoke stronger than athon<
sand tongues against her. She first grew deadly pale, then fiorv red,
trembtud, faltered, and hang her head to avoid my eyes. Her lookfi|
1 told her, confirmed the suspicions I was foi^^ to entertnin of her
integrity ; yet, shocking as the action was whioh ebe had ctiiumitted,
being not only a breach of trust, but homanity, I wa» willing to
come U> an eaer and private occoiumodatioo shout it, provided she
would truly and fiilly confess the part she had taken, or know otliers
to have taken. In injuring Miss Fit£alan, while she resided in the
marquis's house, by bringing Colonel Belgrave into it. I paused for
Iter rvply. Slie appeared as if considering bow she should act. 1
tluinghi I saw something yielding in her fiu'e, and eager tii take
advantage of it, I proceeded: What I have oli'eady said, 1 am going
again to repeat; that is, if you confess all you know relative to the
plot which was contrived anil e-arried into eiecniion in this houM
Hgainst Miss Fitzalaa, I will settle every tiling relative to the letter
Slid its oonlents, in a manner pleonng to yon. Her Innocence is
unquestioned by me; bnt it is essential to her peace that it should
also be so to the rest of her friend*, nnd they who regard her -velfiin)
will liberally reward those whose allegations shall jnstity her.

"Upon this she turned to me, with a conntenanis: of the utmost
eTronteiy, and said she would not tell a lie to please any one. I will
not shock yon by repeating all she said. She ended by saying, as lo
the letter, she set me at Usance; true, 1 bad given her one for Miss
Fitzainn ; but I might remember tCsa Fitzalon was in a lit on the
ground at the time, and she had called in other servants to her assist-
ance, she said; and in the hurryand bastle which ensued, slie knew
nut what became of it; others might as well be called U[)<)n as her,
I could no longer oomninnd niy torojwr; I told her she wan a wretch.
And only fit for the diabolical nervice in which phe was etnployeil,
Tlie note, which I enclosijd in the letter I had {ivea ivef t« i^.'s^'

I

I

s agant in tlie cauntry ; as a post iwte |
lie number id lay p<icVet-bo(iK; I tliN*-
t'oro left Purtman Sc)niire with a resolution of going to l^e Uank, and
If nitt Hlreoily received, stopping payinent; I si«ii|hii] into llie flnt
liauknei-conJi I met, and hod tli« satisraclion of tiiidiag it bad not
l>c<«n offered nt the Baiik. I Bug|fected she nonld be glitd to exoliaoaa
it for cusii oa soon aa possible, Bnd tlierefore left mj direction, ra wSH
lu requectt for tbe detentina of any person who slioiild presetit it.

"In oontieqneDce of this a olerk caine the fuUowing morning, to
inform me a woman haa presented tlie note at tlie Bank, and wa>,
agreeablo to ut; rotuest, detained till I appeared, I imniediatelj
returned with liiin, and had the f>atisftiction of seeing the hoiuekMper
caught in the Hnare. She bnrst Into lean, at mv appearance, and
coniinfc up to me, in a low voice said, if I would hare mercy upon
her, slie wnald in return make a full cunfeasiou of all she knew awnt
tlio attiiir I hull iiietitiuned tu her yoAterduy.

"1 told hor, thiMigh she (le.ser^'eil no mercy, jet, an I had promJMd
on encli condition to ahiiw her ienitv, I would not violate mj word.
I received the note, sent for a aoacn, and handing the lady into i^
soon conveyed her to Pormian Square. She no sooner entered tha

Cnrlour than she fell on her knc«i^ and beeou);ht mv forgiveneas. I
id IktH^, ^iid Ittse no time in revealing all she knew concerning
the aclieiiie ajxain:,! yon. Slie then confessed, tliat both she and llra>
Jaou, tlie attendant who had been placed about yonr perAon, wer«
ncqufunteil ond concerned in all the contrivances the marchioneea
had laid njisinst you, who scrupled not acknowledging to them tha
inveterate hatred she bore yon. Their scmples, for they prel«aded
to have .-«me in abetting their suiiemes. were over-rnled, by knowing
how mii^l. it was In lier power to injure them In any fatare estate
liitlimeii, had they diHobliged her, and by her liberal promisea of
reward, vhlch 'Jie housekeeper atldeil she had never kept: but thit
brief and iinoircumstantial accnmit was by no means astisfboionr to
me. I crtlltsd for iiiateriulii f<ir writing, and iiwiated Bhe ■Iioultl, to
the bc^t it her reviil lection, relate every word or circumstance which
Itad aver panted l<c>tween lier and the marchioness, and thair other
aasuoiate*, relative to yon. She hesitated at tliis. On those terma
(inty, I mid, I would gmiit her m;^ fi'reiveness, and by her complying
Willi thetik, not only thnt, hut a liiieral recompense should ba hers.

vrave was brought into the house by her and Mrs. Jane, how tfaer
had stationed IhemKclvea in a place of concealment to listen, by which
luettns they knew what passed between you, which she now, in almost
the very uune wordx yen innile use of, repeateil to me; as she spokft J
I wrole it, and made her sign the paper nnder a immgraiih, pnrport- f
tnff that it was a true confession of the part sIih had taken, aud knew ]
olliors to luive taken, in attempting to ii^Jure Wisa Fitzolan. I

"I now mentioned Mrs, Jane, wiicse evidence I wished for to
eorroborUe hera, Thi* ibe aaiDred me I might procure by promising

% reward, as M™. Jane was mtwh dissntislied with the mftrohionwH
urA Liuly Eii|.lii'[isii), iieitliur uf whom hod rccninpensud Iter aa she
BX[H?i;tiitl, I'lrr \iKT laJthfiil serfices to them. She woa now at tliQ
vjllii; hilt the hunsekuopcr added, that she would strike out MMue
oxiH.>dioDt U> hring her U> town to Ilie course of the week, and would
iiiloriu lue iiauiudlately of her arrival. I t«ld her the affuir of the
note ihmdd be ou more tiietitiuned, and gave a bill for Btty yunndi as
the reward I had [iruniiiied, and ttlie eHtrei-ly Hvcepted. I tu.d her nlie
might promise a Bimililr one in mj name to Mrs. Jane, pMvided she
'ilw tuld truth. I bLio told her I would take care she diould Hulfer
:iii di:itress, b; quitting the mnnjuitt's familj", wliiuli she l.jnented
would be the oon»equenee uf what she bod done.

" Mrx. Jaue did uot come to town as soon as I expected ; but on
receiving a sQn.mona to infomt me of her arrival, I hastened to the
lijtiae like an inquisitor-general with my soroU ; prepared to take the
cuulerisiou uf tlie fair oulprit, which exactly ourrenponded with the
housekeeper's, and I had tlie felicii; of seeing her ealMcribe her name
to it. I gave her the pmnuied recoiii[>ensc most cheerflilly, an I had
not half so much tniuUle in uialdng her tell tmtli, a^i f had with the
liounukee|>er. Mrs. Jeiinings, your old lundltidy , and Lad^v Uref stock'ri
faithful friend, was the uext and last person whoise malice 1 wanted
to refute. I mwle my servant iii<|uire W cliarocter in the neighbonr-
hood, and learned it was considered u very aui^iiciouH one. I went
to her one muroing in my carriage, well-knowing that the nplieoraiioe
of ruuk and HplenJimr would have a greater weight in intlueuciug a
bein^ bke her to Justice than anv plea uf oonscience. She appeared
lost in astonishment and contiismn at my viuit, and, 1 saw, waited
with trembling expectation tn have the reawin ot it revealed. 1 kept
her out long in suspeni^e. 1 waa the l^iend, I teld her uf a young Uuy
whose character she had viluty and falsely aspersed. Her oundcienee,
I told her, I believed would whimper to tier heart the nnme of this
lady, and send its ciimson current to her face at the mentlun of Ulss
Fitxuku.

"The wretch seemed ready to sink to the earth, I repeated to her
all she had said concerning you to Lady Greystoek. I told her of the
consequences of defamation, and declared she might eipect the utmost
rigour of the law, except she confessed her assertions were infamooa
laisehoods, and the motives which instigated ber to them. She
trembled with terror, and supplicated mercy : I desired her to deserve
it by her confession. Bhe tlien acknowledged she had grot«ly and
cruelly wronged you, by what she hod siud to Lady GreyHiock, and
thai ahe had uiany opportt nitiea ot being convinced, while you resided
in her liouse, that yout vii'tne and iimoceuce were of tlie purest
nature ; but that she was [irovoked to speak maliciously against yo-i
from resentment at losing all the rich gifts Colonel Iklgraie nail
promi'<ed lier, if slie brought you to comply with his wi»li«. Slie
related all the straliigeiUB they had mutuidly coniitrlpil for yiiiii
duot ruction, and she brouglii uio some letters, whii-h I have kv|il,
from him to you, and which ahe pretended you bad i«c«v<«>^V«aX ^uf.

shoiiM lose the taoaej be always gave wlicn ihi was B[ic<cvssf\il lit
deliver! iig odq.

"I bid her beware how she evar ottempied to vilify innncence, ItM
the friends of tliose a1 wliom she levelled her arrowit of defaiiiutiua'
afaould not be :;a merciful to her Ba Hiss Fitza^'s bad been, nnJ wag,
the tale of Iho elanduror llius ever to be minutely investigated, th*
evi! might die Away by degrees, and man; hapless victims escape wbw
are dai'y Kdcrilijed lo malice, revenge, or eovy.

"OLl mv j^manda, I cannot e:(tiress the tran^rts I felt when t
foand the (UtBcaltits, which I drcadud as iotervoning between mo and i
happiness, thus removed. I felt myself the happiest of men; mj'
heart acknowledged yunr worth, I was convinced of jour love, and
in my bands I lield the refutation of falsehood, and the confirmatioit
of your innocence.

The period for mentioning my project was now arrived: I desirwl,
the morning after my visit to Mrs. Jenniof^ to be indulged in a t6ta-
A-t6te in Lady Martha's dressing-room; I believe she half-gucMcd
what the subject would be: she saw by my counlenanco there wa«
joyful news at hand. I shall not recnpiinlate our conversation;
Buttice it to aay, that her excellent feeling heart partjcl pilled largely in
my satisfucLiun : it did more than participate, it wished to increasB A,
and ere I could mention my pnyect, she declared luy Amanda aliouU ■
henceforth be considered as her odopteil daughter, and should from ,
her receive such a fortune as such a title cliunied. Yes. my Amatld^,
the fortune she ever destined for me, she said she should now cotu^
crate to the purpose of procnring me a treasure, the most valuable
heaven could bestow — the richest — the most valuable indeed — ft
treasure deare^ far dearer to my sonl for all the dangers it lias
eocounteredj I fell at Lady Martha's feet, in a transport of gratitnde,
and acknowledged that ehe had anticipated what 1 was goin^ to aay,
as 1 had been determined to throw myself on her generomiy, from
tlie time I was convinced of yonr inflaiible resolution, not to units
yourself to roe without yon brought a fortune.

" It was now agreed we should keep Lord Oherbury a little longer-,
ignorant of our intentions; we proposed taking the niareliioness and'
lidy Euprasia hy surprise, and hoping by so doing, lo be able to
runiovo from bis eyes the mist which partiality had hiiherto sjireact
before them, to obscure the defects of the above-mentioned ladies.

■' lie had hinted laore than once bis wishes for my paying my
compliments to tlie marquis's villa. I now propo^ going thither
myself the ensuing day. He looked equally surprised and pleased.
At bis proposal Lady Martha agreed to accompany me, and bis lord-
ship, you may he sure, determined t4i be one ot the i>8rlv, ibat he
might supply the deficiencies of bis son, which he had neretofort;
found pretty manifest in such society.

'* We had the happiness 10 find sU the family at home when wc
reached the villa. The tadie? all expressed themselves delighted at
itfy uneipected appearance, and quite charmed by my reeovered looks.
Ilie marquis, with his u.'^nnl *ia\g froid, declared himi>e1f glad to *e«

363

mc. Te Brailhig deceiTers, I cried to myself, a» I siirreyeil tlie
marclii-:>nesg and IaIj Eaphrasisi, ynar triumph over innoceooe ai:d
bua'Jty will auun bo over. After passing half an hour ia uninleresl-
iiii; cliit-cliat, I biok the cpportDoity of one of those paosos ia conver-
sntion 'Which so frequei-Ur bitppen, to commenoe m; attack : it would
be as pninfnl to yea as me, to recapitolate all which ensued Id
coDHMjnence of it. Rugii, giiilt and oonnisiou were conapieuoas in tlie
iniirchiunens and Lady rEiiphraaia: tlie marquis and I^dy GreysUick
loiiked with astoniahmeBt, and uiy lather seemed overwhelmed witk
diirpnse and consternation.

" 1 naid (addresiiing the marcl lioness) T now trusted the resPDtment
her kdyithip enterltuned against hernnoffending niece was suffidently
ap]>eB9vd by what she had mode her BOffer, and that she would rather
rejoice tlian regret the opportunity that presented itself of vindicating
her fame. I wished, I said, as much as possible, to spore her lady-
ship's feelings, and, provided she would dear Hiss Fitzako ttcr the
obhiquy whieh the transat: lions in her house CAst npou her, I was
willing to conceal the share her lodysliip bad in them. In a voice of
sniothered rage, and with a look into which she threw as inii'^h oon-
tempt as possible, she replied, " She thanked me for th-. rttention I
priifo9.:ed myself inclined to pay her foehngs; but sbt fancied I hod
orerliHiked all inaliiiation of this kind, when I undertook to bribe her
servants to asperse her character, tliat Miss Filzalnn might be donred.
She waa sorry, she said, to find I coidd be capable of such complica-
ted baseness and weakness. Miss Fitzaltui, she perceived, had made
me her dope agiun ; but this was not snrprisiug, as she was the pro-
fessed piipil of art ; too ]ate I should behold her in her native colonrs,
and find the disgrace, which, by artifice, I now attempt to remove
li'Om her character, thrown back apon her, perhaps to overwhelm nie
also by its weight." — " She has infatuated him (said Lord Cherbnry,)
she will be the bane of his life, the destruction of my hopes."

" Not Miss Fitzolon, (cried I, assuming as much couhie^ as possi-
ble, though, like the marchioness, I found it a difBcult task,} not Miss
Fitzolan, but the enemies of Miss Fitzalan deceived me. I own I
was the dupe of the sdieme contrived against her : anytldng so
horrid, so monstrous, so execrable, I did not tliink conld have
entered the minds of those who were bound by the united ties of
kindred and hospitality to protect her, and I rather believed I owed
my misery to the frujlty than the turpitude of liaman nature."

" You see, my lord, (eiclaimod the marchioness, turning to I>ird
Cherbury,J Lur<i Mortimer acknowledges his passion for this wretched
giri."

" I do, (cried I,) I glory in confessing it. In loving Miss Pltzalan.
I love virtne it^eif; in acknowledging a passion for her, 1 violate no
faith, I break no engagement; my heart ever resisted entering into
any which it could not fiilfil."

" Dnfitrtunate proposition (siud Lord Cherbnry, sternly!) but why,
why when vou beliereil her guiltv, were you so iofatoatod as to fo'l-
low her ti> Ireland ? Wliy not calmly resign her to the iiifaiw^ Aw.

" I followed her, m; Inril, (T replied) ia liope to wilbdrnw her fron
tier geiluoer'a nriii-s iitid pluce her in her f&ther'it.^ I Iioixh), I troatMl,
1 Hhuuld be iible, uLsii, tu alleviate tlie bitlor desliiiy ul' |Hiur t'ltMlna'a:
' ' dE la tlie ariiis nf a my, aucceaBfiil seducer, but a]>|mreatl; in
.s or death, did 1 find Auuuida. 1 saw her at the HoteiiiD hon^
which consigned Lt:r parent to his grare, and U> have doubted hof
proteatationa of innocence then, would hnve Men oliuoHt iiiipiouak
Gracious Ueaven 1 how impossible t'O disbelieve her truth at tlie vaj
moment her gentle spirit seemed about to take its flight to lieaveal
From that period she has stood acquitted in lay tiiiu<l, and from thM
period 1 detennined to develops, to the ntuiost of my power, thf
machinations which had made me donbt her innocence. My suocen
In their development hsa been beyond my ex{>ectstions.' but Pro-
vidence ia on tlie side of eu&ring virtae, and assists tliose who stan-l
up in itAsnpport.

"Ountrary to my first intention, my dear Amanda, I have given
)-on a sketch of riart of onr conversation. For the remainder it sliali
Nufllcn TO lay, tliat the marcliionesa |>eraevered in declaring [ liaj
bribed r.er servantj to blacken her cnaracter, in order lt> eli'ar Ml<(S
Fitzalan's . ui attempt which she repeatedly assured me 1 would tiiul
DU6'''Cc««sfu..

" The icun|nis talked in high terms of the dignity of his honaa, and
how i-opossible it was the marchioness should ever have disgraced it
by «noh a(^til1na as I accused her uf committing. I answered liim in
% iniJiner ei|nally wann. that my accusations were too weil grounded
and aopponed to dread refntation ; that it was not only due M injured
Innocence, but essential to iriy own honour, which would soon b«
materially concerned in whatever related to Miss Fiiznlan, to hava
those accuxatiomi made pnblic, if her ladyshin refused to contradict
th« OHpeniun wluch might be thrown upon Miss Filzalao, in couse*
quenoe uf the scene which passed at his lordship's hoiuK.

"This the marchioness, with mingled rage and contempt, ref\]s«d
doing, and Lady Euphrasia, atler the hint I gave of soon being nnited
to yon, left tiie room in convnlsive agitation.

''Lord Clierbury, I perceived, suspected foul play, by some
■peecbes which drojiped from himj such as if there had been anj
misunderstanding between her ladyship and Miss Fitzalan, it waa
better surely to have it done away ; or certaiidy, if any mistake waa
proved relative to the atfair which hapoened in her ladyship'e boiue,
It was but justice to the young lady to nave it cleared up.

'* Yet, notwithstnnding the interent he felt in tlie caose of auflcring
Innocence, it was obvious to me that he dreaded a rii]itnre witli iho
marnuis's family, and Bp[>eared shocked at the unequivo<cal declaration
1 baa made of never being allied to it.

" Lady Uai'tha Dormer look the cause. The testimony Lord Mor-
timer had reneived, she sud, of Miss FitEalan'i; iimocencc, was incan-
trovertible, and exempted him alike from bring stJgmalized eitlier u
the dupe uf art or love; bnnianilf, she waa couviuced, exclusive of
everj warmer feeling, would havsmfluenced him to have uadenakon
Jfiat FiUalsn's cause: U was ifae catis^ ol looo^'eace aud virtue, a

IT an

•« in wliich every detester of scanJal and treactiery sliculil join,
M Dot nnly the defenceless oqihan, but tite proteutud cliild of rank

frOfp«ri(j were vulaerable to their Hhat^.
again repealed the evidenc* of her servants, and the reftitniion
of Mrs. Jentiings to her former story ; I produced to etrougtijen it, the
unopened lettars of Colonel Belgrave — thns contiuDing to put proof
upon proof of jour innocence (as Sancho Ponzu aafa) upou the
•boulders of demonstration.

" The passiooa of the marchiooeM rose at last to (raatiu violence.
She persislitd in alleging her integrity and viltifying yours ; but with
A countenance so legibly impressed with guilt and coufnsion, that a
doubt of her falsebwid oontd not be entertAinud, even by those who
wished to donbt it.

" The scene of violence we now became witnesa to, was painful to
me, and ebocking to Lady Martha; I therefore ordered the horses
immediately to her ladyship's uhariol, in which, accompanied by me,
sbe bad preceded Lord Ctierbury'a coach, from the idea that onr
coultnuance at the villa might not b« quite so long as his lordship's.

" As we expected, his lordsl.ip staid behind, with tlie hope, I per-
ceived, of being able to calm tiie peiiiu-batioDj of the marcbioneas,
and lessen (he breach between us. Jle returned the next day to town.
I have so long dwelt upon disagreeable scenes, that to go over an?
others wonld be dreadful; nor should I bint to you tbnt I had such
scenes to encounter, was it not to excuse and account to you fur my
absence from Castle Carberry ; our difficulties (yon see I already unite
your interests with mine) began to decrease, and are at last hapt>ily
overeotue. Lady Marllia made me write her intentions relative i'l
}'on, and his lordship was quite satisfied with them. He autliorife*
me to assure you be longs to receive yon into his tiunily, at once a
boast and acquisition to it, and lie says, be shall consider himsel/
under obligadons to you, if you liasten, as much as possible, the
period t>f becoming one of its members, tliiiB giving biin an opporta-
iiity of making early amends, by attention to the danghter, for tlie
injasiice be did the father.

"Lady Martha Dormer's intmtions I have only hinted to yon; in
tlie letter, which I have the pleasure uf enclosing, she is more explidi
concerning them. 1 have given yon this long narrative on paper,
that when we meet, onr conversation tuny be nnembittered by any
paJnAil retrospect, and that we may e^joy uriintermpied the bright
prospect which now lies before us,

" But, ere I close my letter, 1 must inform von tliat knowiog you
could never be selfishly wrapped tip in your own enjiiymenls, I made
every possible inquiry relative to your brother, and was at length
referred by the agent of his late r^ment to an officer in It: wiiJi
some difficutly 1 found be liad quitted bis quarters on leave of absence.
I wrote iramediolely to his family residence, and, after waiting long
and impatiently for an answer to my letter, I dispatched n special niet-
wnger to learu whether be was there or not. llio courier returned
wfii a polite rote from the otfioer's I'alUet, Wonmn^ \ni No* waifc
11 ,

I

I

I

I

of [ileosure with soine fi'iciitls. oud that it.
be kiiew irbcre to lind liini ho wonld ti&Te tronsmitbiil my letto^
-which I mii^hC depend od heing answered the inomeut he reliiTDed.

" I have no duubC but we ^hull receive intelligeace frinn h[m wa-
mruing Mr. Fitzalan ; it shall then he oar hosiutss, if his situation ia
not already pleuing to change it, or render it as much mure so ■
poBsihle to him.

"Keep lip your spirits therefore ahoiit him, for hv the lime w
onive in Eugluod I expect a letter from hi« tirieud, and let me m>t b_
any more pained by seeing your cuaDteniinoe cloaded witli cora or

" Aaa reward for reining in my impatience to «eeyun Uiia aveaing;
be propitious to my request for early adiaittsion to-morruw ; if objirl-
tuble, you will allon uie to bi'eakfiutt with yon, fur I eliall take ntms
eI(^ept with yon, and, wltliont an express command to the conUnry,
ehail take it for granted I am Bipecl«a.

■' 'Tis anid that contrast heightens pleasure, and I believe the ray*
ing. I believe that without having felt pain in all its ocuteneM u I
liare done, 1 never should have felt such pleosuie ns I now erijoy.
After so often pving yon ap, so often lajneutitig yun lu lost forever,
til tliink 1 Biinll wmn call you mine is n source of Iriinsjiort wiiich
words fonnot eipresa. Mine, I may say, is the reBUrrctstion (>f lutmiir
neas, for hiia it not been rerired from the very grave of deaMirl
But I forget that yon have Ijtdy Uarthn Dormer's letter Htill tn
peruke. 1 acknowledge that, for old friend»hip'M sake, I AappuBed jnq
would give mine the preference ; but in all reason itis time 1 tJiuuT'
resign my plooo to her ladyship. Bnt ere 1 bid yon aiiiev, I miMt U
you that Araminta is a sincere participator in our liappiuMM; ^
arrived from Wales bnt a few minutes previous to my leaving I>on-
dun, and I would not allow her time, as she wished, to write to you,
1 almost forgot to tell you, that the raorquis's family, amongst WDum
Lady Greystook is still numbered, instead of returning U> town, set
out for Brighthelmstone : I hate learned, contrary to my and iliNr
ejipeetations, that neither the honseiieeper nor Mi-s. Jane' have been
dismisseil, bat both sent to a distant seat of the marquis's. As we
know till.' marobiuness's revengeful disposition, it is ]dain she has
some scci'^t motive for not gratifying it immediately by their dismis-
sion ; but wlint it i», can bo of Utile oonsequonce for ns to leiarn.
since we are both too well guarded to snlTer fmm any future plot (rt
hera ; like everv other which was fonned apunst my dear Amanda,
J trust they will ever proTe abortive. I was disturbed, wiihin A t«w
milea of Castle Carbcrry, by a gentleman passing on horseliack, who
eiiber strongly re«embled, or was Colonel Belgrave. My blmHl Uiited
in my veins at his sight; I left the carriage, moDnlcd one of my ser-
vant's Loises, .«nd endeavoured to overtake him. He oerl^lily
avoided me by lakiug Nume cross-road, as bis sjwvd i<ouId not li'iv^
outatrippnd mine ; my efibrts to discover hl<t babitntiou weru e<|iiiilly
iinHuccvfisftil. As to yoar personal soenrity I. had no appreheneioiM,
living heard constantly from my good friend 'be docriur aUmf jftii;

CUILDKEX OF THE AUDir. Zhi

bot I dreaded the wretch, if it were resUy hjm, might disturb your
tranqoillity, eitlicr by fordng into your presence, or writing ; tlionk
lienVQu, frum all intrusions or ilsngera of this kind, uiy Amanda will
now he guarded ; but again am I trespasi^ng on tlie time yoo should
devote to Likdj Marthas lett«r. Adieu, auil do nut distqipoiul my
hopea of being allowed to visit you early.

" MOBTUIBB."

Amanda perused Ibi* leltor with emotiona which can he better con-
ceived than descrilietl. She conld scarcely have parted with it witti-
out a Hecond reading, hod not Laily MarLha'a demanded her ultention ;
«he snatched it liaslily from the ground where it hitherto lay
neglected aud read to tlio following purpose.

"Tliat 1 warmly and sincerely congratnlnte my dear and amiable
Miss FitwUan on ine happy revolntiun in her affairs she will readily
believe, peranaded as slie must be of tlie deep intercut 1 take iu what-
ever concerns a person on whom the happiness of biiii whom 1 liavo
lovod from childhood so materiaUv, bo entirely, 1 may say, depends.

" Yet do not suppose me, my dear Miss Fiizalon, so Mlfish, an not
to be able to riyoiue at yonr happiness on your own account, eiolnsici!
of every consideration relative to Lord Mortimer : long since I wna
taught by description to esteem and admire yon, and even when the '
hope of being connected with you bec-ame extinct, I could not so
totallv forego that admiration, oa to feel uninterested about yon.
Oil I how trnly do I rejoice at the revival of the hope 1 have just
menCioneil, and at its revival with every prospect of ita lieing speedily
realized! I shall consider Lord Mortimer as one of the most fortunate
of nien in calling yon his, and to think I have been able lo promote
his bapniness ^vc^ me a. satisfactioo which never was, nor ever will
he equalled by auy circnmstauue in my life.

"Tliough I cannot give my adopted daughter a fortane by any
means e<]nal to that which Lady Euphrasia Sutherland will possess,
Lord Cherhury is fully sensible that her perfections will abundantly
make up for any deficiency in tliis respect. Ten thousand pouodn,
and one thousand a jrear, is at present to be her portion, and the
reversion of the remamder of my fortune is to be secured to lier and
Lord Mortimer; the final adjnstment of all affiiirs is to lake place at
my bouse in the country, whither I propose going immediately
accompanied by Lady Araminta, and where we shall Ixith moqt impa-
tiently eipect your arrivid, which we mutnully entreat may he lios-
tened as much as posdihie, consistent with your health and
convenience : Lord Cherbury has promised to follow us in a few days,
so that I suppose ho will also be at Tborubury, te receive yoo.
Would to heaven, my dear Miss Fitzoloa, ii|jured virtne and innocence
may always meet with such cliain]}ions to vindicate them as Lord
Mortimer! was that the case, we should see many InveW vxcUtwe vS.
scorn and rcpnincli raising tlifir liwidB with lv\n\n^\* MiA *9!iv.l^*;'?,'ja

But p»r(1on rny involontarily adverting to pMt sd-oes, thooglv at ths
wnie liiue 1 lliiiik yon liure reasun tu rt^uice at your Criala, wliioh
■orved as so uiariy luals ami proolk of tlie estiiuut)le qunlitiea joa
posaesa. Fwewell, my dear Miss Fitzalan ; I have buon brief in mj
letter, beoBuse t know I nbould not be pardoned by a certain pccsoii
if 1 engroe-'ied too mudi of your time. I told him I would giv« y oa
a hint of tlia impetuosity of his diBpusition ; but he told me, perliapa
to prevent tbin, Uiat you were already acquainted wiUi it. Id oue
.nstanco I slioll oomtnend liiin fur displaying it, Uiat is in bbwtcniug
)'uu tu Tliiirnbuty, tu tbe anna of your affectionate friend,

MXBTIU DOBMEK."

Amonda'a bappiness was now almost as grent as it covld be in tUs
Vurld ; almost I say, for it received alloy from the melanofaoly oon*
sideration tliat ber father, that faitbful and allectJODate &ieud who
bad shared her troubles, could not be a partaker of her joyi; but
the sigh of unavglting regret which roae in her niind, she checked,
by reflecting, that hapjiiuess all-perfect was more than humanity
could either support or expect, and with pious gratiUide ahe bent to
the fower who bad changed the discoloured proniiect, by which sbs
had been so long surrounded, into one of cheerfnlnesa and bcsuty.

If ber pride was woonded by the hint, though so dehcately co&-
Teyed, wliich Lord Mortimer hud given of the difficnltiet) he enoonn-
tered in gaining Lord Cherbury's approbation, it was instantly relieved
by the flattering commendations of Lady Martha Dormer, and to ba
connected with her and Lady Araminto, she looked upon amongst
the mo«t valuable bleesings ahe could enjoy.

To express what she felt for Lord Mortimer was impoa^b1« ;
language could not do justice to her feelings : she felt love, gratitade
and admiration for him, all in the fulleat extent, and all nnited, and
abe wept in the fulness of her heart over the joyflU assurance of
being his. With tho two letters in ber hand she repaired to Uw
prioress's apartment, whom she fonud alone. The good old lady saw
the traces of t«ars on Amanda's face, and eicliumed. In a voice which
evinced her Bym|iathy in her cimwrns, " Oh I I fear, my child, some-
thing has happened to disturb yoo!" Amanda presenied her the
letters, and bid her judge from tliem whether she had not reason ti.
be agitated. As the prioress read, her sndden and broken exclatiia-
tiotis manifested her gurpriso and pleasure, and IVeqnen'.ly were hw
^>cctacles removed to wipe from off them the tears of joy by which
tliej- trerc bedewed. When the bad &uishcd the welooms jiackeV

■he l&rned h) Aniniida, wlio ]i&<l hv^n Atluntively waColiiug the
variom tnroB in liei oonDteoaoce, siid gnve licr u cuitgrUulatory
embrace. ''Lord Sli'rlimer is wurtliy of you, my thilil," said the
priorees, " and tbat is the highest eologiDiu 1 can pusB on him."
Aft^r commanting upon differeat parU of the letter, she Bsked
AiDwda, a little archly, "whether she intended sending flu express
comnwDd to his lordxhip egwnst coming early in the tnorningt"
Amanda honeatly oonfease<i iih« liad ao aiich intention, and expressed
her wish to behold him. The prioress said she wonld have bretikfaat
prepared for tliem in the garden parlour, and that she would take
care lliey should not be interrupted. Slie b^m promiaed to keep
•very tidng seoret, till matlera were arranged for Amanda's removal
from St. Oathariue'a.

CHAPTER X5SIS.

n mX nil thW'l mlu.

Jot is as great an eneniy to repose S9 anxiety. Ar:iniida posMd an
almotit sleepless night, but her thougbta were too agteeahly employed
to allow her to suffer for want of rest ; early as nhe rose in the morn-
ing, she wa^ but a short time in tlie parlour befoie Lord Mortimer
arrived. He appeared with all the transports of his soa] beauiiog
^ni hla eyes, and was received by Amanda with tender and
L Jrembliug einotloa. He oaught her to his heart an a treasure restored
w,fp him by the inimedia.te hand of Heaven. He pressed her to it with
■ ,^l«ut exstacy. Both for a few moments were unable to ^iieaik; but
T'jtbe tears which burst from Amanda, ajid tbn»e ttlat stopped on the
■IglowiDg oheeks of I»rd Mortimer, expresseil their feelings more
' rcihiy than any language oould have done.
Amanda at length funnd utterance, and begnu to thank his InriMiip
IT aU the difficulties be had gone through ii. viiidicaliiig her faiuA

StK)

ABB CT.

i

lie hnilllj stopped tbuse effatioiu of gmlilnde, bf biiliUa^ Iier ndt
lier hforl wheLlier be had not been fiervjng hinis^ as veil u bar b;
nlint be hul done.

From the soft conftnoa into wbicb bis tno^ports threw her,
Aiuauda endeavoQifd to recover berself bj repaiiiug to the broakbst
table, on which the good risters had spread ail the niceties (ad^i;«d
[o a inomiiig repast) which tlie coarent could prodace; bit her haad
was Dtifiteadj:, abe spilt tSe tea in ponriiig it out. and committed
Iwentf blanden in helping Lord Mortimer, lie laughe^l a litllo
archly at her eiut)aiTaaimenl, and insisted on dr>ing the bononrg of
the lable himself to which Amanda wiili a llmh consented; %nt
hreaicfs^t wu little attended to. Amanda's hand was detaJn«d ta
Lord Uortimer's while his eyes were continnall]' taming towards her,
as if to assnre bis heart that in the lovelj eridenoe of hia b^ipineai
there was no deception; and the tenderness Amanda bad no longer
reason to restrain, beamed from her looks, which also evinced b«r
perfect sensibilit; of her present felicitv — a felicity heightened by
het approving conscience testifying she had merited it. Tlie pare,

I^Ktmiscd, whenever sLe came lu Uiwn, vihich wah bill soliloin, sL*
fironld m&ke their Louse her huine, (irovided tlit>y wuulil piiimise to
tpend every ClirisUnaa, and three uionlhii at leant in eumniur, witli
-lier at Thornbnry : Lord Uortitoer said he had liis choice of aiiT of
the Earl's seats, bnt chose nona, fVom an idea of the Uoll being mora
'agreeable to Aiiiaiida. She assured him it wa", and he proceeded to
mention the jiresents which litdy Uartha had [ireparad for her; also
the cftTTisfCs and retinue he had provided, and expected to find at
Thombarj H^faijidt she reached it, still atikiug If the arrungciuents be
had mode niet her approbation.

Ainimda was aflectod, even to tears, by the solicitude he showed to
pieBM! lier. mid he, perceiving lier einotiuns, changed the discourse to
tnlk about her removal (nun St. Catharine's; he entronted her not to
delay it longer than was absolutely necessary to ailjusl matters for iL
She promised compliance to liis entreaty, acknowledgiug tliat she bnt
obeyed her iDclinatloiis in doing so, as she longed to be presented to
tier generous patroness, Lady MnrtliA, and to her atuiuble and beloved
'Lady ArHniinto.

. Lord Uurtimer, delieately consiiteratc ab<tut all wbieli concerned
her, begged ehe would 8[ieak to the prioress to procure u decent
ftmole, who ahotild be a proper attendant for her journey; tliey
■hould travel together in one chaise, and he would follow them in
Uotber. Anumda prontiMd she would lose no time in making this
ireqnest, wbioh, she had no doubt, wonld be Bucce^iil.

Lord Mortimer presented her with b very beautiful embroidered
.puree, contdning notes to the amoant of five hundred pounds.
lAmanda bhiahed deeply, and felt her feelings a little hnrt at the idea
g oliljged to Lord Mortimer for everything. He preesed her
nd, in a voice of soothing tendemeai, told her he shoold be
iffended if she did not from this moment consider her interest insepa-
Ible from his. The notea, lie Baiil, of right belonged to her, as Ihey
monnted to but the iudividuid niiiii he had already devoted to hw
He requested she would not curb in the least her geiieruoa
t, bnt fulfil in the utmost extent all the claimii which gratitude
I npon her. The benevolent Bisters of St. Catliarine's were the
in tJie list of those who bad conferred oblignlions npiin her,
|nd he desired she would not only reward thea liberally (it prnsenl^
it promise Iliem an anmial sli]iend of fitly pounds.

Amatiila 'n'os tralj iidiglit«J at tLis; t« l>e able to contribute to
tlie comfort of tliosa who Imd ao Largely promoted iiors, \vm a soarov
of eiqaidite felicity. — Lord Uortimer presented ber with hta piotnra^
ivhicb he had draim in London for that purpose; it was a striking
likene&s, and most elegantly set with brilliaots wliich fonned a oypbef
upoQ a pliut of hair at Che hack, lliis vta indeed a precious present
to Amanda, and she admo'wledged it was snch. Lord Mortimer Bnid,
Uiat in return for it bo should expect hers at some futnre time ; but
added, smiling, " I shall Lot heed the shadow till I procore Ihe sub-
Blauua." lie also gave her a very beaulifnl ring, wjlh mi eni*'leiu-
atical device, and adorned tu the same manner aa bis picture, which
Lady Martha bad sent as a pledge of future friendship; and he now
infurmed her, that her lodyahip, accompanied by Lady Arainiota,
intended meeting tbem at Holyhead, that all due honoar and attctitioQ
might be pdd to her adopted daughter.

In the midst of their couTersation, the dinner bell rang from the
eoDvent. Amanda started, and declared she bad not snppHMed it
half so late. The arch smile which this speech occasioned in Lord
Mortimer, instantly made her perceive it had been a tacit confeuioit
of the pleasure ahe enjoyed in their ttte-ft-t&te.

She blushed, and telling him she coald not stay another moment,
was hurrying away. He hastily caaght her, and hulding bolli ber
hands, declared she should not depart, neither would he to his soli-
tary dinner, till ehe promised he might return t« her early in t)ia
evening. To this she consented, provided he allowed her to have
the prioress and sister Mary at least at tea. This waa a coBdition
Lord Mortimer by no means liked to agree U\ and he endeavonred
to prevail on her to drop it ; but, finding her inllexible, he etiA she
■was a provoking girl, and asked her if she was not afraid tiiat, when
he had the power, he would retaliate npon her for all the trials slie
liad pat bis patience to ; bat since she Vviuld have it so, why it most
be BO to be sure, he said ; bat he hoped the good ladies would have too.
mnoli conscience to sit out the whcJe evening with Ibem. Tlial was
■II cliance, Amanda said. The bell again rang, and ho was foroed to
depart.

She took the opoortnnity of being alone with the prioress thr a few
miontes, to speak to her about procoring a f^m^e to attend ber tn het
journey. The prifurws said »he donMed not bit she fonM prwor*

8U3

herui eligible pcrsiiii from the neighbouring town, and proiniijed to

write Uiere tliat very evening, to a family who would be ablu to assist
her inqniriee.

Ikilh fiha «nd sister Marv were ranch pleased by being invital
to drink tea with Lord Mortiinci'. He came ev«n earlier tlinn wili
ciipctted. Poor Amanda wm terrified, lest her coinpatitoii^ slionld
overhear him repeatedly tisking her whether they would not retire
trninediately after teal Though not overheard, the prioress had too
ninch ai^acity not to know her departure was disired; she therefore,
niider pretence of basiness, retired, and took Mary along wilh her,
Amanda and Lord Mortimer went into the garden, lie thanked her
fur not losing time in speaking to llie prioress about her Eurvant, an<i
Mkid tJiat be hoped, at the end of the week, at farthest, elie would be
able h) begin her jonmey. Amanda rendily promised to nee all pos-
sible despatch. They paused some delightful hours in rambling about
tiie garden, and talking over their felicity.

The prioress' expectation was answered relative to a servant; in the
course of two days she produced one in every respect agreeable
to Aiaanda, and things were now in auch forwardness for her departs
nre, that she expected it would take place as soon as Lord Mortimer
liad mentioned. Bis time was psased almost oontinnaily at St
Ontharine's, never leaving it except at dinner-time, when be went to
Castle Carberry; his residence there was soon known, and vi.sitors
and invitatioDB without number came to the csHtle, hut he found
means of avoiding tbem.

Amanda, langhing, would oltea toll him be retarded the prepara-
tion for her journey by being always with her; this, he said, was only
a )ireteit to drive liim away, for t]iat he rather fnrwanled tlietn
by letting her lose no time.

Lord Mortimer, on coming to Amanda one eveuing tus usual,
appeared uncommonly discomposed; his Dace was flushed, and his
whole manner betrayed agitation. He scarcely noticed Amanda;
but, seating himself, placed his ann npon n table, and leaneti ilejacl-
cdly u[>on it. Amanda was inexpressibly shocked, her heart panted
with apprGheasioQ of ill, but she felt too timid to make an in<)i]iry.
He suddenly knit his brows, and muttered between bii> tenth, ''i-urM
un tJto wretuhl"

sa o> THE

Amonda could no longer keep eilenra: "What wrctehl" th»
eidnimed, " or wliat is tlie meaning of this ilisorder I"

"First tell mc, Amanda," said he, looking very «teaiil»atly at her,
" have yon seen aiij stranger hero lately !"

"Good heavensl" replied ihe, "what can you mean by Boeh k
question ? but I sol^nnij aBsnre yoa I have not."

'^EnoDgh," eaiJ he, "eoch an assiuance restores me lo quiet; bnt,
my dear Amanda," coming over to bor, and taking her hands in bia,
"sincd.yon have perceived my a^tation, 1 niDst accntrnt to yoa for it.
I liHVC juHt «eeD fielgrare ; he was liDt ■ Few yards &om me ou tho
f imimon when I saw him ; but the mean, despicable wrotch, 1oad«d an
lie is with ooDSCions guilt, dnrat not face me : he got ont of my way
by leaping over the hedge which divides tlie common trom a lao«
with many intricate windings : I endeavoured, bat witbont success, to
diacover the one he had retreated Ibrough."

"I Bee," said Amanda, pole and trembling, "he b destined tamak«
me wretched. 1 had hoped indeed that Lord Mortimer would no inor«
have Enfiered his quiet to be interrupted by bini ; it impiiei such a
doubt," sdd she, weeping, " an shocks mj soul I If snspidua ia thus
continually to bo revived, we liad belter separate at once, for miaery
must be the consequence of a union witbont miilnul oon£deiice."

" Gracious heaven I" eaid Lord Mortimer, "how unfortunate I am
to give yon pain I Yon miatoke entirely, indeed, my dearest Amanda,
the cause of my uneasiness ; I swear by all that is sacred, no doubt,
no suspicion of your worth has arisen in my mind. No man can
think more highly of a woman than 1 do of yon : but I was disturbeil
lest the wretch should have forced himself into your presence, and
Iwt yon, tbrongh apprehension fur me, concealed it from me."

The e:[damBtion calmed the perturbation of Amanda; as an atone-
ment for tlie uneasiness lie had given her, she wanted Lord Mortimer
to promise he would not endeavour lo discover Belgrave. This pro-
mise he avoided giving, and Amanda was afraid of pressing it, lesl
the spark of jealousy, which she was convinced e.Yisted in tlie dispo-
eilion of Lord Mortimer, should be blown into a flame. Tliat Bel-
gmvo would studiously avoid him she trusted, and she resolved, thai
if tlie things she had deemed it necessary to order from the neigh,
louring town were not finished, to wait no longer for them, a

longed n >w more thai: ever to qnit a place she thought (langeroos to
Lord Mortimer. The eusuing morning, instead of seeing his lortlahip
at broatfftst, a nnte was bionght to hvT, couched iu these worda.

"to vim mzALAti.

"I am nnovoidably prevented from waiting on my dear Amanda
this morning, but in iba course of the day she inny depend on eiilier
seeing or hearing fVoin me again. She can liave no escnso now on
luy account abonC not hastening Ihe preparations for her Juurney, and
when we meet, if 1 And her time has not been employed to this par-
poM ab« may eipeot k severe ohiJing from her faithtiil

"MOBTIIIBB."

This notn filled Amanda vith the most alarming disqniet. It waa
eridenttohertholhewasgonein pursuit of Belgravo, She ran into the
hall to inquire of the messenger abont hia master, bnt he was gone.
She then hastened to the prioress, and commnnicated her apprehen-
sions to her. Tlie prioress endeavonred to calm tliem, by assuring
her she might be convinced that Belgrave had tiiken too many pre-
cautions to be discovered.

Amanda's breakfast, howerer, remained untouched, and Ler tltinga
nnpacked, and she continaed the whole morning the picture of
anxiety, iropatienlly expecting the promised visit or letter; neither
came, and she resolved to send, after dinner, the old gardener to
Oastle Carherry, to inqnire after Lord Mortimer. While she wa»
tpeaking to him for that pnrjKwe, the maid followed her into tlie
Binrden, and told her there was a messenger in the parlour from Lord
Mortimer. She flew thither; bnt what words can express her sur-
prise, when the supposed messenger, raising a large bat which
shadowed his face, and removing his handkerohief which he had
hitherto held up to it, discovered to her view the features of Lord
Oherbury 1 She could only eiclalra, " fSracious hoaveD, has anything
happened to Lord Mortimer?" ere she snulc isto a chwr in breatliles*
a«it«tioD.

CHAPTEIt XL.

TbB propbilw gf woe, foi

i.uBi> OnsKBtmr bBaUiied
Bssurii)^ Iter Lord Mortimer i
tlu by tills asaertioD, sbe aal
answered, because he had se
by him, about on iionr ago.

iiipport and calm her a^tAtioa, I
was in perfect safety. Becoveriug » U^
'd liira how he was nssurad of Uiis.
!V htJD, tljou^h without being peniuived
AinaDda, restored to her facilities, bj

I

; assured he was uoiitjared, began to reflect on the suddenness
of Lord Clierbitry'a visit. She would have flattered herself he cams
to introduce lier to tiis farnilj himself^ had not his loolcs almost for-
bid aiich an idea; the; were gloomy and disonlered; hia eyes were
faslonod on lier, yet be appeared unwilling to speak.

Amanda felt herself in *.oo awkward and crabarro-tsing a sitnatioD
to breaic tlie unpleasaut silence. At lost Lord Cherbury suddenly
exclaimed : " Lord Mortimer does not, nor must not, know of mj
being hero."

" Must not 1" repeated Amanda in inconceivable astooislimcnt.

" Gracioua heaven ," said Ix)rd Cherbnry, starting from the chaii
on which he had tlirown himself, opposite to her, " how shall I beipu,
how shall I ti'll her? OhI Miss Fitzalon," bo continued, appmncliing
her, "I have mncb to say, and you have much to bear, which will
ebock you ; 1 behoved I could bettor in an interview have informed
yon of particulars, but I find I was mistaken. 1 will write to you."

" My lord," cried Amanda, rising, all pale and trembling, " tdl m»
now; to leave me in snspense, aftor receiving such droadl'u) hints,
would be cruelty. OhI surely, if Lord Mortimer b« safe; if Lady
Martha Dormer, if Lady Arominta is well, I can hare nothing so varj
Hbocfcing to hedr."

"Alas!" replied lie, monmfully shaking bis head, "yon are TDts-
taken. Be satisGed, however, that the friends you have mentioned
are all well. I have said I wonld writo to you. Can yon meet roa
this eroning amongst the minsi'' Amnnda gave an assenting how.
**! shall then," pnrsnctl he, "have a letter ready lo deliver you. In th«
mean lime, 1 mini inform yon, uo poi-son in tin- world Liiows of my

CHIUOREll or THE ABBGT. 8B7

VlBJt liero but joureell^ and, of aJl beings, Txird Mortimer U the last I
sboulU wish to know il. RomeTober, then, Miiss Fitinlan," taking
her bnnd, which he grasped with violenc-e, as if to impress his words
Upon her heart, " remember, that on aecreey erery thing most estima-
ble in life, even life itself, perhaps, depends."

With tlie«e dreadftil and nijsterions words he departed, leaving
Amanda a pictnre of horror and siirjiriae ; it was many minutes era
■he movetl from the attitude in which he ]eft her, and when ahe did,
il was only to walk in a disordered manner about tlie room, repeating
bis droadfnl words. He was come perhaps to part her and Lord Mor-
timer ; and yet, after eonsenling to their union, surely Lord Uherbnry
coidd not be guilty of such treachery and deceit. Yet, if thia were
not the case, why conceal his coming to Ireland ih>in Lord Morti-
mer! Why let it be known only to hert And what conld be th«
■ecreta of dreadfnl import he had to coinmunical« t
-. From these self-interrogations, in which her reason was almost
bewildered, the entrance of Uie prioress drew her.

She started at seeing the pale and distracted loots of Amanda, and
asked " iJ' she had heard any bad tidings of Lord Mortimer."

Amanda aighed heavily at this qnestion, and said, " No." Ths
Becreoy she had been enjoined .ihe durst not violate by mentioning
the myslerioua visit to her friend. Unable, however, to converse on
any other subject, she resolved to retire to tier chamber. She placed
her illness and agitation to the account of Lord Mortimer, and scud a
little rest was absolutely necessary for her, and begged, if his lordship
came in the conrae of the evening, be miglit l>o told she was too ill to
aeo him.

Tliey then pressed her to stay for te.1. She refused, and, as ahe
retired from the room, desired notliing might be said of the peraon
who bad just seen her, to Lord Mortimer; saying with a faint smile,
■^she would not make him vain, by letting him know of her anxiety
About him." She retired to her chamber, and endeavoured to con-
trol her pertnrbatioDS, that she might be the l>etter enabled to sup-
port what abe had so macfa reason to apprehend. Kcither the prior-
nor the nuns, in obedience to her i^jonetions, intruded upon her,
1, at the appointed hour, she softly opened the chamber door, and.
' every place Wtng clear, stole aofily from the convent.

She fc'ind Lord Cherbury waiting fur her luuidiit the ■'jlltary rums

t

cHiLDRsa or

a his hand, whicli be preteDted to her Uie

«e

He hw! a letter
■lie a)i] -eared.

" III this len«r, Miss FiUalan," enid he, " I h^ve opened lo jcn iny
wliole Iiearti I have disburthenut) it of eetireU whivh have loo^
op|iressed it; I have entrusted mj honour to jour care. From what
I have said, that ita Mioteatt are of a Mcred aatnre, yun may beliere ;
ahould tliey bu OMiaidered in an; uther light b; jou, tlie oonseiiuencM
may, nay uiust 1>e fatal." — He said this with
Amanda shrink. "Ifeditate well on the coutentB of that leller,
Misa Fitzalan," continned be, in a voice of deep aoleranity, "for it it
a letter which will fix jour destinj aiid mine; even should the
reaaest oontained in it be refused, let me be Ihefirat ooijuainted with
the refusal ; then, indoad, I shall urge yon no more to secrecy, for
what will follow, in coD»eqncnce of suuh a refbaal, mnst divulge all.''

" Oh ! tell me, tell me," said Amanda, catohing bold of his ann,
"TtJl me what is the request, or wliat it is 1 am to fear: Ob! t«ll me
at once, and rid me of the tortarliig suspense I endnre."

" I cannot," he cried, " indeed 1 oaauot. To-morrow night I ahall
eipect your answer here at the same bom'."

At this moment Lord Mortimer's voice calling npon Amanda waa
beard. Lord Chcrbury dropped her hand wliicb he had tokeo and
iostAOtly retired amongst the windings of the pile, from whence Lord
Uorlimer soon ^ipeared, giving Amanda only time to hide the fata]
letter.

"Good heaven I" exclaimed he, "what coold have brotigbt 7011
hither, and who was the person who just departed from yon f" It ww
well for Amnnda that the twiliglit gave but an imperfect view of ha
tace; she felt her colour come and go; a cold dew overspread her
forehead; she leaned against a rude fragment of the building, and
iWntly eiclaimed, " the person — ^"

"Yes," said Lord Mortimer, "I am sure I heard retreating foot-

sps."

" Ton ore mistaken," repeated Amanda in the same faint aooeot.

"Well," said he, "thongb you may dispute llie evidemw of my
ears, yon rannot the evidence of my eyes ; I see yon here, and atD
astonished at it."

' I came here for air," uid Amanda.

' For air," repeated Lflid Mortimer, " I own, I »hoald have tnoDf(fii

CHILD II BS or IHK ABBBT. 899

flie garden better ndnpleil for sueb a purpose ; but why some liitfaer
in a ckniiestine niannar! Why, if yon huve fears yon wcrald per-
BUBde me yoa have, expose joarself to dnuger from tbe wretch who
b&unts ttie place, by comiog here alone Wlien I wont to tlie con-
vent, I was told yon were Indispose^ and coidd not be disturbed : I
oonld not depart, liowever, witliout mftking an eflbrt to see you ; but
you can easier imagine than I describe the consternation I felt when
yon could not be found. It was wrong; indeed, AmaDda, it waa
wrong to ooniB here alone, and aflfect ooncealment."

" Gracious heaven !" eaid Amanda, raising her hands Ba<) eyes, and
bursting into tears, " bow wretched am I !"

" She WIS, indeed, at thia moment superlatively wretched. He*
Leart waa oppressed by the dread of evil, and she perceived auspi-
cions in Lord Mortimer which she conld not attempt to remove, lest
%u intimation of tbe secret she woa m awftiUy enjoined to keep
should escape.

" Ah ! Amanda," said Lord Mortimer, losing in a moment the
aspenty with which he had addreased her at finst; "aht Amanda,
like the rest of^-our ser, you know too well tlie power of yonr tean
not to nse them. Forget, or at least forgive, all I have said. T was
disappointed in not seeing you the moment 1 espeoted, and that put
Die out of temper. I know I am too impetuotis, bnt you will in time
mbdne every unruly passion ; I pat mysalf into yoor hands, and yon
shall make me what yon please."

He DOW prcaaed her to hts boaoni, and finding her trembling

nniversally, again implored her forgireneas, as he imputed (be agitft-

tloD she betrayed entirely to the nneasiness he had given her. She

I Usnred him, with a (altering voice, he had not offended her. Her

•pirila were affected, sbe Haid, by all ahe had suffered daring the day;

Lord Mortimer placing, as she wished, those sutftrings to his own

L iecoant, declared her anxiety At once pained and pleased him, adding

L he would trnly confesa what detained him th>m her daring the day,

Boon UA they returned to the convent.

Their return to it relieved the aIst«rbood, who had also been »eek-

! Amanda, from many apprehensions, Tlie prioress and sister
[ Mary followed them into the parlour, where I»ru Mortimer be^nfed
v ttiey would have compassion on biin, and give him something for b'l
r, •« he had seareely eaten anrthing for the whole day.

400 ClItLDRRN or TUB ADDBT.

&Ut«r Mary inataatlj replied, "He would be gratified, and, H
Aman<Ia was in the name predion me at, hIis tiopcd he wmild now ba
■hie to prevail on her to eat." The cloth was acconlingly laid, and K
few trifles placed upon it. Sister Mary would gUilly hava staid, bot
tlje prioresa had understanding enough to tliiuk the supper would b>
more palatable if the; were absent, and Bccordiuglf retired.

I-ord Mortimer now, wlli the moat sootliing tenderness, tried to
(ilieer his loir companion, and make her take some refreshmeut ; but
his efforts for either of these purposes were ansucceesfiil, and sIm
besonglit liira not to tliink her obstinate, if she could not in a moment
recover Iier spirita. To divert his attention a little from hereeU^ sli*
asked him to perform his promise by relating what kept luin th*
whole da; from St. CatJiarine'e.

He now acknowledged he hod been in soaroh of Bolgrave ; but the
prccantions he had taken to conceal himself baffled all inqniriwi
"which convinces me," continued Lord Mortimer — "if I wonted
conviction about such a matter, that lie bai not yet dropped bis vil-
laiuons designs upon you. Bnt th« wretch cannot always escape tli*
vengeance be merite." ^

"May he never," cried Amanda, fervently, yet involuntiirily,
"meet it tram yoarhandsl"

" We will drop that part of the Bulyect," said Lord Mortimer, " if
you please. Ton mast know," continued he, "after scouring the
whole neigbboorhood, I fell in, about four miles hence, with a genlJc-
man, who had vi^ted at the Marquis of Hnsline'a lost eutnmer. He
immediately asked me to accompany him home to dinner. From hit
residence in the country, I thought it probable he might be able to
give some account of Belgrsve, and therefore accepted tlie invitation;
but my inquiriea were as frnitless here as elsewhere. When I found
it BO, I was on thorns to depart, particnlarly oa aii the gentlemen
were set in for drinking, and I feared I might lie thrown into an
improper situation lo visit my Amanda. 1 was on the watch, how<
ever; and, to use their sportiTO term, Utorall; stole away."

"Tliank Henveu!" said Amanda, "your inquiries proved fmUJens.
Oh I never, never repeat them; tliinlc no more about a wretch m
despicable."

" Well," cried I^rd Mortimer, " why don't yon hurry mo from the
liiiighbourh')"d I Fix Uie day, the moment for our departare: '. have

OHiLOHaN or TUH Aesur. 401

Men here already fire diya ; Liidj Martha's pntienoe is, I dare say,
fjuite enhausWd by this time, and, should we ddiiy much longer, 1
mpiicise she will think we have both bceoine convurts to the liuly
I'ileM of thi9 oonvent, and that I, ioatead of taking die vows which
tihould make ine a Joyful bridegroom, am about taking thi«e whidi
*hall doom me to celibacy ; seriously, wliat bat want of inclination
con longer detain you?"

" Ah !" said Amanda, " yoa know too wall that my departure can-
not be retarded by want of inclination."

" Then why not decide immediately npon the day?" Amanda was
Bileat; her sitaation was agonizing; how could sho fix npon a day,
uncertain whether she did not possess a letter which would prevent
her ever taking the projected journey t

" Well," said Lord Mortimer, after allowing her some time to
Hpcak, "I see I most fix tlie day myself: this is Tuesday — let it be
Thursday."

"Let US drop the snhject this night, my lord," said Amanda;
" I am really ill, and only w^t for yoar departore to retire to rest."

Lord Mnrtime* obeyed her, but with rcluctanue, and soon after
nttred.

CHAPTER XLI-

Td brwk hi* dtmUuI fk

Lttoherchamber the moment Lord Mortimer departed;

9 were already retired to rest, so tliat tlie stillness which

I Migned throngh the house added to the awfblness of her feelings, aa

Ijdw sat down to peruse a letter which she had been previously

1 informed would 6x her fate.

" To destroy a prospect of fell clly, at tlie vorj moment
-re dispened, is indeed lie lonrce at pangs n

\ot (Tuch ftra tlie liotrors of my OcBtiny, thnl nothing but iatcrrcoltig
iieiween jon, Mortimer, and bappiuoss, cod save tiie from perdition 1
Appalled at tliia dreadful BESertiuii, the letter drops t'rom vonr trem-
bling lianda ; but, oti I dear Miss Fitzalan, oast it not utterlj aside till
■yon pemse the rest of tlie contents, and fijt the destiny of the mott
tri-etched of mankind, wretched iu thinking he "liall Jnlermpt
Dot only your peace, bat the peace of a son, so noble, so gtvdoiki,
BO idolised as Mortimer is by him. But 1 will no lotiL'er turtnre yonr
feelings by keeping voii iji 8ns[>ease; tlie preface 1 hove already
given is siiflieient, ana I will bo explicit; (pimbling, that bone of fluna
and fiirtune, has been my ruin ; but whilst I indulged, so well did I
conceal my priii>cnsity for it, that even those I culled my fiienA
are ignorant of it. With shame I confess, I was ever foremost to
rail agtunst this vice, whieh was continually drawing snnia in seeral
from me, that would have given comfort and afflneuce to many A
child of want. For some time my good and bod fortnoe were M
equal, that my income sulfeivd no oonsidurable diminution. Abont
five years ago, a Mr. Freelove, a particular friend of mine dieil, and
left to my care liis "only son, who, I dare say, yon may rocullert
having lieen at my hoiue last winter : tliin young man's property wu
consigned to ray care to manage ns much fur his advantage us I cotdd;
it consisted of a large-estate andfilly thousand iionndii, At the period
Freelove became my ward, I had liad a constant run of ill lack tix
many months. The ardour of gaming (anhke every other pasMOn^ is
rather increased than diminished by djsap[>ointinent. Withont beinc
warned therefore by ill success, I still went on, till all I cunid touoE
of my own property was gone. Did I tlien retire ashamed of my
folly! No; I could not bear to do so, without another effort for
recovering my losses, and in that enort risked something motv
precious than I had ever yet don& namely, my honour, by nsing the
money which lay in my hands belonging to Freelove. The lonf
period which was to elapse ei-e he cnmo ot age, emboldened me to
this. Ere that period I tnwted I should have retrieved my loaaea,
and be enabled not only to discliarge the princi[>al, bnt wbatfiver
interest it would have bronghl, if applied to another purpose, I
followed the bent of my evil genino, suTn after snm was token np, and
all alike buried in the accursed vortex which had already swallowed so
much from me. But when I found all was gone, oh, iih/a Fitialan I
I Htill tremble at the distraction of that moment.

" All, as I have said before, tliut I ooold touch of property WH
gone; the remainder was so settled I bed no power over it, excwt
Joined bv my son. Great as was the injury he would sastain hr
mortgaging It, 1 was confident he never would hesitate doing so If
acquainted with my distress; but to let him know it was worse t^aa
a death of torture could bs to me ; his early excellence, the noblcne^
tif his principles, minslcd in the love I felt for him a dc)n'E<e of awe ;
to confess myaolf a villun to such a character, to acknoivlodge iny li^
hnd been a xrene of deceit; to beabn.'diod, confoimded in the preeenc*
of my son, to meet his piercing eye, to see the blush of sliaine maclM

OHILDKBH OF ma ABBKr. 403

hia oheelcR, for Lis father's criniea — oh horrible — most horriblel I
ravt:<l at tlio itleii, and rewilved if driven hy oeocssity to t«ll Liin of
nij hnseae^ not to survive Che confiMKioD. At tliiB critioal junulare,
d(0 Marquis of Roaline came from Scotland, to reside in London ; an
iniiTFifloy which had been dormant for years, between our families
waii then revived ; aod I eooa found that an ollianoe between them
wnnlU be pleasing. TLe prospect of it rased ine from tlie very depth
of deejtur; but [uj transports were of short continuance for Mortimer
iiot only showed, bat. expressed the strongest repugnance to such a
cuniiuxlou.

" Time and daily experience, 1 trusted, would so forcibly convinoe
hini of the advantages uf It, as at last to oonoaer this ropagnauce :
ni>r did the hope of an oiiiaoce taking place entirely forsake my heart,
till informed be waa already bestowed upon another object. My
leelinfct at this information 1 shall not attempt to describe : all hope
of paving myself from dishonour was bow cnt off; for tliongb dntiful
aticl attentive to me in the higheiit degree, I could not Hatter myself
that Mortimer would blindly sacrifice his reason and iucltnation to
in^ will. The most fatal intentions again ;ook possession of my
mind, but the nncertaiotlM be suffered on your account kept me ic
Imrrible suspense as to their execution ; alter some months of torture,
1 bcpan again to reviye, by learning that you and Mortimer were
mevitiibly separated; and such is the sclfish nature of vice, so aban-
doned is it to all feelings of humanity, ttat I rather rejoiced at, than
lamented the supposed disgrace of tbe danghter of my friend.

"But tbe persevering ooc^tAncy of Mortnner, rather, let me say,
tlie immediate interposition of ProvldetiCt, soon gave her reason to
rriiimjjb over the arts of her enemies, and I was again reduced to
despair. Mortimer, I dare say, &om motives of delicacy, has oon-
ceajod from you the opposition I gave to bis wishes, after your inno-
cence was cleared, and the intentions of I*dy Martha Dormer, relative
to yon, were made known; at last I found I must either seem to
ncqtiiesce in these wishes imd intentions, or divnlge niy real motive
for opposing tlieni: or else quarrel with my son and sister, and appeal"
in tlieir eyes, tbe most Kltiab of hnman beings; I, therefore, to
ai>[iearance, acquiesced, but resolved in reality to throw myself Dpon
vour mercy; believing that a character so tender, «o perieet, so heroio-
iike, a« yours boa been, through every scene of distress, would have
coijipas^ion on a fallen fellow -creature. — Was iny situation otherwise
tlian it now is, were you even portionleas, I should rejoice at having
YOU united to iny family, from your own intrinsic merit. Situated as
I am, the fortune Lady Martha Dormer proposes giving yon, can be
vfI no con»e<;ueB06 to me; the projected matdi between yon and Mor-
limer is yet a secret from tbe pnblic, of course it bas not lessened his
interest with tbe RosUne family. I have been ali'eady so fortunate as
Id a4li>at tlia nnlucky difference wbieh took place between them, and
.-emove any resentment ihev entertained against hiin, and I urn
eoiilidenl the first overture tie should make for a nnion with l^dy
Enpbraaia wonid be succGasfnl. The fortune which wonld tnmediab^

I

That Lord Mortimer wo olil impute withdrawing herself Auiu Us
to on atWchmeot for Bolgrave slie waa convinced ; aiid tliat her famtif
Bd wull as peace should be foorificed to Ixird Cherbary, caused such %
whirl of coateoding passions in her mind, that reason and reQc>ctio«
for a few minutea yielded lo their violence, and she resolved to vindt
cate ber8<:lfto Lord Mortimer. Thia rcaolution, however, wan of
short ooDtinnanoe; as her sabaiding passions again gave her power
to reflect, she was convinced that b; trying to clear herself uf a^
iniai^nary crime she shonld commit a real one, since to save her owti,
character. Lord Cherhnry'a ninst l>e stigmatized, and the eonseqnwnoij
of such an act he iiad already declared, eo that not only by the wurld
but by her own conscience, she should forever he accusej uf acoetlerr
ating his death.

" It must, it mast be made," she wildly cried, " the sacrifice moidi
be made, and Mortiiner is lost to me forever." She flung Iier^
self on tlie bed, and passed the hours till morning in agonies too gresi
for description. From a kind of stupefaction rather than sleep, inttf
which she had gradually sunk towards morning, she was aroused by s
gentle tap at tlie clianiber door, and the voice of sister Mary iofumi«4
her that Lord Mortimer was below, and impatient for his hreikfut.

Amanda stArled from tlie bed, and hid her tell his lordshtp sb*'-
would attend him immediately. She Uicn adjusted ber droas, iried ttf'
calm her spirits, and, with uplifted hands and eyes, besought beareii'
to fupport her tlirongh the trials of the day.

Weak wid trembling she descended to the parlour. — '
she entered it, Lord Mortimer, shocked and surprised by her alterea
looks, exclaimed, "Oracions heaven! what is the matter F" Then*
feeling tlie feverish heat of her hands, continued, "Why, why,
Amanda, had yon the ornelty to conceal your illness! Proper oi
tance might have prevented its increasing to snch a degree." With
Duutterable tendemcHS he folded his arms abont her, and while hee ;
drooping head snnk on his bosom, declared he would imniediBtely'
send for the physician who had before atiendod her.

"Do not," said Amanda, while tears trickled down her cheeks.'
"Do not," continued she, in a broken voice, "for he could do m
good."

" No good," repeated Lord Mortimer, in a terrified accent.

" I mean," crie*! she, recollenting herself, " he would find it Qi

ocBs&tr to prescribe Anything fur me, as luf illness only pniceeds bom
the ii^ilalioD 1 sufierud yeaterilay; it made loe paiiii an iuditlereiil
a'.i,ui, but quietness Uwiay will recover me."

Lcird Mortimer was with difficulty persuaded to give up his Inten-
tiou, nur would ho relinquish it till ihn bad promised, il' not better
bcl'oro ibe ovimiug, to inform him, SiUd let the pUysician be sent for.

Thoy ni)W sat down tu breukl'ast, at nhicb Amanda was nuable
either to preside or eat. When over, sba told Lord Mortimer she
innst rutjre to ber cbiuuber, us rest was essential for her; but
between nine and ten in Ibe evening she would be happy to see liim.
He tried tu persuade ber ttiat she might rest as well upon Uie sofa in
the parlour as in ber cliainber, and that be might then be allowed to
sit wilh her: but abe could not be peraoaded to this, she said, and
begged be would excuse seeing her till the time she bad already
mentioned.

lie at last retired with great reluctance, hut not till she had several
Uuies desired him tu do eo.

AniHiidu now repaired to her chamber, but not to indulge in the
Hiipinaness of grief, lliough her heart I'eit bursting, but to settle upon
some plan for lior futura conduct. In the tirst place, she meant
immediately to write to Lord L'bei'bury, as tlie best method she coiild
lake of acquainting him with her compliance, and preventing any
couvorsation botwt-t-n them, which would now have been insnpport-
alile to ber.

In the next place she designed acquainting the prioress with the
snddoD alteration in her affairs, only concealiug (rom her the occasion
of that alteration, and, as but one day intervened between the present
and the one filed for her joamej, meant to beseech ber to tliink of
some place to which aha might retire Irora Lord Mortimer.

Vet soich was the opinion she knew the prioress entertained of
Lord Mui'tiiner, that she almost dreaded she would impute her rteig-
nalion of iiiiu to some oriminal motive, and abandon her entirely. If
this slionld he the cnse (and scarcely could she be surpriiied if it was)
she retulved, without delay, to go privately to the neighbouring
town, and from thenco proceed immediately to Dublin: bow abe
ehoiild act there, or what would become of her, never entered he."
tbout'his; they were wholly engrossed about the mar.niir in which
she should lenve St. Oatharine's.

I

ibS CHILDBBHOrTHIABBgr.

But aDe hoped, mucli as appearances were aKHiitst her,
not b« deserted by tlie prioress. Providence, she trnsted, wo'Jd bl
so compassionate to ber misery, as to preserve her tfais one fHen^
trho ctitild Dot only asdet but advise her.

As soon as she had settled tbe line of condnct slie should panooj
ehe sat down to pen her reniinciation of Ixird Mortimer, which ibv
did in the followiDg words :

"to tbb kasi. oe cmbkbtdit.

"To your wishes I resiga my happineai; niy liapfiiness, I miinl^
for it ia due to Lord UorUmer to declare, that a aoion with aa<^) a
character as his must have prodaced tlie highest fulicitj; it ia alsq
due to my own to declare, tIJat it was neitlier his rauli nor fortaat^
bnt his rirtneSj which inflaeaced my inclination in his livonr.

"Ilappy bad it beeo tiir ds all, toy lord, but particularly for ra^
Iiad vou continued steady in oppoaing the wislics uf your ton, H|.
e for paternal authority is too great ever to hare alluwed dk
1 opposition to it. I should not then, by your e«einiD|
'Dce to them, have been tempted to think my trials all oveK
" But I will QoE do away with ftny httle merit your lordship maf peN
hapfi ascribe to my immediate compliaQce with your re>]U eat, bydweUiiu||
upon the fiuffijrings it entails upon me. May t!ie reuimciaiinn of my
hopM be the nfieaoa of realizing your lordship's, and may soptrio^
fortune bring euperiur hoppiuees to Lord Uortimerl ■

"1 thank your lordship for your inteutions relative to me: but
whilst I do so, must assure you, both now and forever, I shall deeUnf
having them executed for me.

"I ahstl not disguise the truth; it would not be in your lordship^
power to recompense the sacrifice I Lave made you, and bea)d«%
pocuDiiry obligations can never sit easy upon a feeling mind, eXMp^
they are conferred by those we know value os, and whom we valiM
ODMclves.

"] have the honour to be,

"Tour Iord:ihip's obedient servant,
" AuAiiDA F]TU.Laja,"

Tb« tears she had with difficulty restr^ned while fhe was writing
now burst forth. She rose, and walked to the window to try if tba
air would remove the funtishnesa which oppressed her; boia it ah«
perceived Lord Uurtimer and the pr-loress in deep conversation at ■
little distance fl-om the convent: she conjectured she waa thdr
■Direct, for, as Lord Mortimer retired, the prioress, whom sh* had
not wu) that day before, came into her chamber. After the mnM

40d

SiilDUtiom — "Lord Uonimcr Las been Ulling ma joii were ill," gaiiI
she: "I tniaCed a lover's fuurs liail ma^&ed the danger: but trnly,
mj dear cbild, I am sorry to say this is not the case; tell me, mj
dear, what ia tbe matter! Sorely now, more than ever, you sliould
be careful of your health."

"Oh I DO," said Ainanda, with a convnl=ire sob — "oh! no,"
wringing her liandis "you are sadly mistaken." The prioress grew
alarmed, Iilt liiubs began to tremble, she was anable to stand, and
dropping on the nearest choir, besought Amanda, in a voice ciprcssWe
of her feelings, to explain the reason of her distress.

Amanda knelt before her ; she took her hands, slie pressed tliem to
l;er burning forehead and lips, and bedewed them with her tears,
whilst she eicltumed she was wretdied.

" Wretchedl" repeated the prioress ; " for heaven's aako be explicit,
keep ine no longer in BUfipense: you sickei:, my very liearti by your
agitation it foretells something dreadful I"

"It does indeed," said Amanda: "it foretells tliat Lord Mortimer
and 1 will never be anitedl"

Theprioreas started, andsnrvejed Amanda with alook which seemed
to say, "sliu believed she liad lost her senses;" then, with assumed
composure, begged '" alio would defer any fnrtlier esplnnation of her
distresa till her spirits wore in a calmer state."

"I will not rise," cried Amanda, taking the prioress's hand, which
in her surprise, she hod involuntarily withdrawn — " I will not rise
till you say, thai, notwithstanding the mysterious situation in which
I Am involved, you will continue to be my friend. Ohl such an
assurance would assuage tlie sorrows of my heart"

The prioress now perceived that it was grief alone which disordei'ed
Amanda ; but how elie had met with any cause for grief, or what could
occasion it, were matters of astonishment to her. "Surely, my dear
child," cried she, "yon should know me too well to desire Eoch on
assurance : bnt however mysterious her situation may appear to
others, she will not, I trust and believe, let it appear so to mo. I
wait witli impatience for on explanation."

" It is one of my greatest borrows," exclaimed Amanda, " that I

cannot give snuh an explanation : no, no," she continned, iu an

cgony, "a death-bed confession would not authorizo my telling yoo

tlie occasion of Lord Uortimer'» sepaxatioit Mid mine." The prioress

18

»

now indsted on her tsking a chur, and tlten Ite^ged, u fiir n li

Fonlil, wiihuut thrther delay, she would let hor into Let ^cn

A-Dinnda immediBtely complied. " An unexpected obstacle to hai
DDioi) 'n-ith Lord MortJiaer," she wid, "had arisen; an obstocW
wMoh, while compelled to attbtnit Co it, aha was bound most solemnlr
to couceal: it was expedient, therefore, she shoold retire (hnn Lord
Mortimer without giving him the anmllest intJination of sach t
iotenlion, lest, if he atupected it, be should inquire too niiniitely, ani^^
by ao doing, plunge not only her but himself into irremediBble di»-'
tress. — To avoid tbia, it woa necessary al! bnt the prioress sboutd b*'
ignorant of ber scheme, and by her means she hoped she shonld t
put in a way of finding aacb a place of secrecy and sectirity as sliC
required. She besongbt the prioress, with strMtioing eyes, not to
impnte her resignation of Lord Mortimer to any unworthy motiTer^
to that TTeaven, wbiuh oonld alone console her for bor loea, sfaf
appealed for her innocence; she besonght her to itelleve her ^oer«;
to pity but not condemn her; to continae her IViead now, when faer*
friendship was most needful In this her deep distress; and aba
asMired her, if it was withdrawn, she beheved she could no lougvr
struggle with her sorrows. Tlie prioress remuiried silent afew minatesi^
and then addressed her in a solemn Toioe.

" I own, Misa i'itzalao, your conduct appears so JneipliMble, so
ftBtooiahing, that nothing but the opinion I hare formed of your'
thar&cttr, from seeing the mano^ in which you have acted, e
left to yourself, oonld prevent my esteem from being diminished ; bnt^'
I am persuaded you cannot act from a bad motive; therefore, till
that pereuaaion ceases, my eateem can know no diminution. From
this declaration you may be convinced, that, to the utmost of n
power, I will serve you; j'et, ere yon finally determine and reqnirff
Hucb service, weigh well what yon are ahont; consider, in the tyea'
of the world, you are about acting a dishonourable part in brvakinf'
your engagement witli Lord Mortimer, without assigning some re
for doing so. Nothing short of a point of conscience shonld inHuenoc'
you to this."

"Nothing short of it bas," replied Amanda; "therefore pity, and*
do aot aggravate niy feelings by pointing onl llie consequences wliiol
will attend Uie imrrifice I am compellod to mnkc; only prntalso,*"

4111

tajciog the prioiess's hand, " only pfomise, in this great and and emer- '
geney, to be my friend."

Her louki*, li«r words, her Bgonles, stopped Bhort all the prinrvso '
WM going to say. She thongbt it would be barbarity any longer U
dwell upon the ill conseqnenccia of an ftctiun which slie was n>
Tinced some &tAl necessity compelled her to; she therefore pive In i
all the consdlution now in her power, by nssurinit her she sbc.iili) I
immediately tliink about some jilace fur her to retire to, and wonlcf
keep all which had poased between them a profonnd setrret. Sha
then iiiBi9t«d on Amanda's lying down, and trying to compose hop'
self; she bronght her drops to take, and drswing the carlains aboul'
her, retired from the room. Tn two honrs she returneil; though she
entered the chamber softly, Amanda immediately dr«w back the enr^
tain, and appeared mnch more composed than wlien the prioress h«il'
left her. The good woman would not let her ri.fe, bat sat down oi^
the bed to tell her what she had contrived for her.

" She had a relation in Sootiand," she. said, " who, from redooaS.
circumstances, had kept a school, for nuny years ; but, as the iuflrsM
ities of age came on, she was not able to pay such attention to befl
I'apils fts their friends thought requisite, and she had only been abW
tu retain them by promising to get a person to assist her. As sb^
thought her cousin (the prioress) more in the way of procuring si

ne than herself, she had written to her for that pnrpose: a clever^
woll-beJiaved young woman, who would he satisfied with s
salary, was what she wanted.

"I Ehonld-not mention such a place (o yon," said the prioress, "but
that the necessity there is for your immediately retiring from Lor^
" timer, leaves mo no time to look out for another; but do noi)
Imagine I wbh you to continue there; no, indeed, labould think it ■
pity sQch talents as you possess shonld be bnried in snch ohscarily^

hst I think is, that yon can stay there till yon grow more roin*

rMf'l, and can look out lor a better establishment." '

"Do not mention nty talents," said Amanda, "my mind is W^
enervated by grief, that it wilt be long before I can make any gfo«S
tion; and tlie place you have mentioned is, from its obsQUri'jv
just snch a one as I desire to go to." '

"Ttiere is, besides, another inducement," said the priori-"!*., '
" n*mely, its being but a few miles from Port Pa.tridt,\r

■ : a devay

h a smad

I

I

413 CHILDHBN OF TllR ABBEV,

B fair vind will bring ns in a few lionn from this. I knnvr tlw
maxter uf a little nlieiry, ivhich is perpetaally iioins liorkwnnls and
forwards; be lives in tliia nciRlibourbood, and both he ami liia wife
consider themsclvea under obligations to me, and will reJi'ice, I am
Bare, at an opportunity of obliging me; I shall therefore, send for bim
this evening, inform him of the time yon wish to go, and desire hia
)«re till he leaves yon himself at Mrs. Macpherson'?."

Amanda thanked the prioress, who proceeded to «ay, "that, on the
presumption of her guing to her coTwin'a, she had dready written a
letter for he to take; but wished to know whether she wowld be
mentioned by her own or a flotitiona name?"

Amanda replied, "By a fictitions one," and after a little condder^-
tion, filed on that of Frances Donald, which Ilie prioress accordingly
inserted, and then read the letter.

"to MBS. WACPIIKHeOS.

"Db*r Codhis,
"Tlie bearer of tliis letter, Trances Donald, is the yonnc person I
hare procured you for an assistant in yonr suhool. I have known tier
•ome time, and ean vooch for her cleverness and discretion. She la
well bom and well educated, and has seen better days ; but the wheel
of fortane is continually Inming. and she bears her misfortunes with
a patience that to me is the best proof slie eonld give of a real good
disposition. I liave told her yon gire but ten pounds a year; Jinr

Eing proves she is not dissatisfied with tlie salary. 1 am soiry to
ar yon are troubled with rheumatic pains, and hope, when yon
have more time to take care of yonraelf, yon will grow better. All
the sisters join me in thanking yon for yonr kind inquiries after
them. — We do tolerably well in tfie little school we keep, and tmat,
oar gratitude to Heaven for its present goodness, will obtain a eon-
tlnuAnce of it. I beg to hear from yon soon, And am, my dear
eOQsin, your sincere friend, and affectionate kinswoman,

" St. Cathariiu'i Euzabeth Dsbvot."

" I have not said as mnoh as you deserve," said the prioress ; " tint
if the letter does not meet your approbation, I will make any altera-
tion yon please in it." Amanda assnred her "it did," and the prioress
then said, " tliat Lord Mortimer had been sgnin at tlie convent to in()iiire
after her, and was told she was iwtter." Amanda said, she would
not see him till the hour she bad appointed for liis coming to sa|>|>«r.
The prioreaa agreed, "that as tilings were changed, she was tight In
Iwin^ Ichis oompanyas little as possible, and to prevent her being in

- F

OHILDRBH or TBE AUBET. 419

Ilia iroy, slie would hare Uor ilinner and tea ta her own roum/' Tlie
clotli was acoorJingly laid in it, nor woulJ tlie good-natured prioress
de|iart till she saw Amanda eat somelliing. Sister Mary, slie snid,
was quil« sniioua to coma io, and perform the part of an attendant,
but was prevented by her.

The diatraotion of Amanda's tiiougliis was now abated, from having
everything adjusted relative to her fuCare oondnct, and tb? company
«f the prioress, wiio retnrned to her as soon as slie had dine'I, pre-
vented hor losing the little composnro stio had niib Bach difficnlty
Dcqnired.

Kite besonght the prioress not to delay writing after her departnre,
and to relate fiuthfully every tiling which happened in consequence of
her tliglit. She entreated lier not to let a mistaken compassion for
her feelings influence her to coDceol an; thing, as any thing like the
appearance of concealment in her tetter would only torture her with
anxiety and snspeose.

The prioress solemnly promised she would obey her reqnest, and
Amanda wiUi tears regretted that she was now unable to recompense
the kindness of the prioress and the sisterhood, as she had lately
intended doing by Lord Mortimer's desire, as 'neJI asboron-n inclina-
tion. The prioress begged her not to indulge any regret ou that
account, aa ihey considered lliemselves already liberally reconipensod,
and hod besides quite snfficiont to satisfy their humble desires.

Amanda said she meant to leave a letter on the di'essing-table foi
Lord Stiirtimer, with tlie notes wliich he had given her enclosed in
it. "The picture and the ring," said she, with a falDng tear, "I
cannot part with." For the things which she had ordered from the
neighbouring town, she told the prioress she would leave money in
her hands, also a present for the woman who had been engaged to
attend lier to Englond, as some small recompense for her disappinnt-
mer.t. Shu meant only to take some linen and her monniing to
Siviilund, the rest of ber things, including her muiiio and books, at
some future and better period, might he sent after her.

Amanda was indebted to the sisterhooil for tlirce months' board
and lodging, vliioh was ten guineas. Of the two hundred pounds
wliich Lord Mortimer had given lier on leaving Castle Curberry •Jtic
hundred and twenty pounds remained, so that Ihnngh nnahie te
■nmror the I'taims of graiitode, i^ie thanked Heaven she wiw b.^^V.

fijlfil tiiose of jnstico. TbU the told the prioress, wLo ini
UeclareJ " iliat, iu tlic name of the whule siuterliood, she woold tAka
□pon ber to refuse any ttiiiig from ker." Amanda did not coiiteat th«
[mint, beiug secretly determined hotv to act. Tbe priorera drank t«ft
witli ber — when over, Amanda said sbe would lie down, iu ord«r to
liy and be composed agwrat Lord Mortimer came. Tbe prioress
m'itirdingjy withdrew, saying, "sbe sbonlil not be distnrbed tijl then."

By tliis means Amanda was enabled to be in readiness for delivering
her letter to Lord Cberbnrj at tbe proper lioiir. Her heart beat witli
ajiprel tension an it approached ; she dreaded JmtH Uori.inier again
surj'riitiag her amongst tlie roins, or some of the nnns following her
to tJiein. At last ttje olook gave the aignol for keeping ber appMDt'
UKUt. She arose treinbliug &om llie t«d, and oi>ened the dour ; she
listened and no noise announced any one's being near; the momenta
were precious ; she glided tbruuKli tbe gallery, and had the good
forltme to find the ball door open. She ba^tcued to Ilie ruitu, and
found Lord Chorbury wailing there. She presented bim the letter in
dleuue. He received it in tJie same maimer; hut when he saw hw
turning DWay to dcgiort, he euatrbed her bond, and in a voice that
denoted iJie most violent agilAtion, exclaimed, "Tell me, tell m«,
iliu FitEulan, is tlii« letl«r propitious." " It is," replied tite, in s
faltering voice. " Then may heaven ettmnlly bless jou," cried ha,
falling at her feet, and wrapping bis arms abont her. His pnstur«
■hooked Amanda, and hia dot«n.tion terrified lier.

" Let ine go, my lord," SEud she : " in pity to me, In mercy to your
•elf, let me go, for one moment longer and we may be discovered."

Lord Clierbory started np. " From whom," cried ho, "con I li«w
about yon ?"

" From the prioress of SL Catlmrine'''," replied Amanda Id n
trembling voice, "she only will know Ihe secret of my retreat."

He again snatched her hand, and kissed it with vehemence,
"Farewell, thon angel of a womani" be excliumcd and diwppeared
amonR tlie ruins. Amanda hurried back, dreading every moment to
meet Lord Mortimer ; bnt she neither met him nor any other peraon.
She bad scarcely gained I'er chamber ere the prioress CAUie to iTiionn
her, bit) lordship was in the jxirlonr. She Iii8t*nily repaired to it.
The (ur had a little clianged the dea<lly hne of lii>r ruiiijiteiion, to
that from her looks be HiippoBcd her liBlter, and livr worJB strength'

•nod (lie tti|)pi>sitiuii. Slie lalkcil nilh liiin, furtcil Lcrself to est
sutne sQpt<er, and chucked die (enni from blliog wliicli s|ii'iiii|{ lo ber
«TCB irliencver lie laentiunett tli« Iia|i|iiae9« Ihey must experienco
wlitD united, tlie pleasure tliej sbonld eiuoy at Tlioriilinry, and tho
diJi);lit I.adv Uailli& aud Lady Arunirita wuuld <ix|)eritiucc wliuDcver
tbcT met.

Amnnda deairod Iilro not to come to breakric^t tie next inoniing,
tior lo t!ie convont till after dinner, as sLe woald be so basy prepmiug
for bet journey, sfie would have no lime to derote lo liim. lie
wanted to convince bcr he could not rutard bor preparaliona, by
coniiiig, bnt ahe would not a.low this.

Anivida pastied another wretched night She breakta>tcJ in the
nioriiltig with tlie nuns, who eipresged their regret st losing her — &
regret however mitigated b; the hope of shortly seoitig bcr ogain, as.
I^rd Mortimer had promised to hring her to Castle Carbtrrj as booh
aa she had rioted Lis li'tends in England. This wiis a trying moment
lo Amanda; bIib could scarcely conceal her emotions^ to keep herself
from weejiing alaad, at the inention of a promise never to be fiilfilled.
She swallowed her breakfart in haete, and withdrew to her eliamber
on pretence of settling hor things. Here slie was iminedintely fullowed
by tlie nuns, entreutiDg tliey might eeverally be employed in nssi.^ting
ber. She thanked Ibem with her UBnal sweetness, bnt aascred them
uo assistance was nocessarj-, as she had but a few things to pock,
never having unlocked Uie chests which had come from CastJe Cor-
berry. They retired on receiving this sssuranM, and Amanda,
fearful of anotlier intemrption, sat down lo write her farewell letter
lo Lord Mortimer.

" Mt Lokd,

" A destiny which neither of us can control, forbids our union.
In vain were obstacles encountered and apparently overcome, one
nas rineo to oppose it, which we never could have liionghl of, and in
fielding to it, us I am compelled by dire necessity to do, I find myself
M))iiraled from yim witljout the remotest .hope of our ever meeting
lig.iin — without being allowed to justifv my conduct, or oSlt on«
Yxcn^e which might, m some degree, palliate the abominable ingrati-
tude and d«eenl I may appear guilty of; appear, 1 say. for in reality
my heart is a strati(rer to either, and is now agonized at the sncrifloe
;', ia oompelleJ to make : bnt 1 will not hnrt your lordship's feelings
I'y dwelUut! oi my own sufferings. Already have 1 ciuteA ■^■wi "u*!

410 CDILDRIN or Till ABBKT.

mucli !>nin, Imt never nfraln 5lia1l I cros,? your path to di^tnrb jnm
I'.'jtro, iii»! >\\m\v yiiiir |in>ii>C('l uf fulicity : no iii_v lord, removed ta ■
U-i<iuii£ illstiiut'e, iIju naxwb I liive no inure will mdIc upon iii; ear, the
(li'Iii>ive tiircii uf lin]ii)iiicds no more will iiii>ck me.

"Had every tiling torned out aeconling to my TrUhos, perhaps
hnppiiii.'^:', so {preat, so nncxpected, might have proiluced a dangermu
rcvutiiiion in my sentiments, and withdrawn my thouglits too mncJi
from liL-uven to earth; if so, oh! blosscd be ttie power tliat enatclied
iVoin my \\\i* the cup of juy, tliciugh at the very momeat I waa tasting
the lieliiililfnl beverage.

•■ I I'iinnot bid you pity me, tliongh I know mysdf deserrjny of
c-<mi':(^:;loji ; I caimot hid yi>u forbear condemning me, thongb I know
myself iinileserving of censure. In this letter I enclose the niit«s I
receive<l fnuit your lordship; the pictnreand therinf;! have retained;
thi-y will MHm be my only vestijrcs of former happiness. Farewell,
l./>nl >[cirtimer, my dear and valuable fiiend, farewell for ever. May
tliiit peat-e, that happini-ss yon so truly deserve to possess, be yours,
anil iii:iy tlii>y never nj^in meet with sucii interruptions as they bava
recL-ivi'd I'rum the untbrtunutc

"Amaxda M. FiTULAx."

This h-ttcr wM blistered with her tears; she Iwd it in a drawer till

[ii'ticeeded to p.ick whatever eho meant |i

"to MBS. VtBMOT.

" Wua ray aitiution otUerwise Uian it now is, be assnred I ue^w
Bliould Lave offered the trifle you will find in this puptr aa any way
adequate to the discharge of my debt; to you, and your amiaWu com-
panions, I regret my iuabllity (more Uian I can eipress) of proving
• iiiy (cratitude to yon, and thvia for all your kludDeas : never will they
be obliturated from my remembrance, luid He, who bad {iroriiisod U>
regard those tbat. bofViend Uio orphan, will reward you for tliera. I
liave abo left five guineas for the woman yi>a wure so good as to
eiicftge to att«nd me to England. 1 trust she will think thein a
sufficient recompense for ooy trouble, or disappuiutmeut, I may Luv«
occasioned her.

"Farewell, dear Mrs. Derrnot, dear and ami/ible inhabitants of
8t. Cfttliarine'a, farewell. As Amnndu will never forgte yon in hers,
to lot her never be forgotten in your oriscins, and never caase to
believe her

" Gratefbl, sincere and fifTeottoimte,

"A. M. FiTZALiW.

By this timo aha was anmmoned lo dinner. Her spirits were sunk
in tlie loweDt d^ectdoo at the idea of leaving the amiable woman
ivbo had been so kindjn her, and, above all, at Uie idea of tlie last
Kid evening she was to pass with Lord Mortimer. His lordship came
early to the convent The d^ceted looks of Amanda immediat«ly
struck him, and renewed all his apprehensions ahont her liealtli. Bba
answered his tender inqnin'es by saying she was fatigued.

"Perhaps," edd ha, "yon will like to rest one day, and not eom
mence your journey to-morrow)"

"No, no," cried Amanda, "it shall not be deforred. To-morrow,"
continued site, with a smile of anguish, " I will commence it."

Lord Mortimer thanked lior for a resolution he imflgiued diol.ited
by an ardent desire to please him, bat at the same time again
expressed his fears that she was ill, ,

Amanda perceived that if she did not exert herself, her d^ection
wonld lead him to inqniried she would find it difficult to evade ; but
OS U) eiert herself was impossible, in order to witlidraw his attention,
in some degree, from beraell^ she proposed that as this was the last
aveoing they would be at the convent, they would invite the nuns to
fliink tea with them. Lord MortJmer immediately acqoiewed in the
proposal, and the invitation being sent was accepted.

liut Um coDvarsatitw of the whole parly was of & vatVv^ifvw'i
18«

kinJ.

ijf loii

CHILD

Aniaiuk was s
IS licr lilk-il tlie

R'l-, IjQd Ije not

or TUB ABDXT.

much beloved among thom, that the prospect
ivitli n regret, wliioli, even the idea of nccing

would Hi

ot banish. About nine, wliicb was their lionr
to retire, and would Jinvo taken leave of Lord
iiifonncd tlicm, tliat on Miss Fitzolan'd account
J tlio Journey nest day till ten o'clock, at
n have tilt iiliiaaure of seeing tlieni.
AVIieii tliej withdrew he endeavoured to cheer Aiuondo, and
liCi'UU^lit iier lu e^ert her spirits. Of his own accord, he said, be
woulil leave Iter enrly, that she might get as much rest aa possible against
the ensuing liay. Uo accordingly rose to def>art. What an aguoiziag
n)unient for Atnauda — to hear, to behold the man, so tonderlj
beloved, fur the last time: to tliinl: that ere that bonr tbe next aiglit
bhc should be far, far away from liim, considered as a treachcrons aud
nnt;iMtL'l'ul c real tire, (ic--|iised, jierhaps ciecroled, oa a source of
I.cii.flii.d di,<f|uiot and sorrow to him! Her heart swelled at thoae
ideas Willi fillings she thought would burst it, and when lie folded
her III his bo-oiii, imd bid ber he cliccrfnl against the neil morning,

ther inquirisB, told him, " she only wriwd for hia depurture to redre
to ^ell^ ntiicti j)te t'u convinced would do ber good."

I^rd Mortimer listantly rose from his kneeling poHtora : " Fir»-
wll, then, my denr Amanda," cried he, " farewell, and be well •nd
cliHcrt'til against the moroing."

Siie pressed his hand between hers, and laying her cold wet cheek
U[>i)ii it : " Farewull," said she, " when we next meet I shall, I trnai,
be well and cjieerful; for in heaven alone (Uioagbt she at that
moment) we shall erer meet u^in."

On Che fipot in wliioh he left her, Amanda stood motioDless, till alio
beard the hall door close alter him; all composure then forsook her,
and, in an agony of tears and sobs, she tlirew herself on the seat he
had uccnpiud. The good {irioresa, gnesGiog what her feelings at this
minnte must be, was at hand, and came in with drops and water,
wliich she forced ber to tal;e, and mingled the tear of sympathy
with hers.

Her soothing attentions in a little time hod the effect she desired.
Tliey revived in some degree her nnhappy young friend, who
excliuined, "that the severest tiiil she could ever posdbly experience

"And will, I trnst and believe," replied the prioress, "even in
this life, be yet rewarded."

It was agreed that Aratmda should pat on ber babit, and be pre-
pared against the man came for her. — The prioress promised, as soon
as the house was at rest, to follow her to her chamber. — Amanda
accordingly went to her apartment, and put on her travelling dress.
She was soon followed by the prioress, who bronght in bread, wine,
and cold chicken; but the full heart of Amanda would not attow hei
to partake of tliem, and her tears, in spite of her efforts to rostrwn
tbeni, again burst forth. " She was Eure," she said, " the prioress
would immediately let her know if any intelligence arrived of her
brother, and she again besought her to write as soon ss possible after
ber departure, and to be minute."

She left the lot^er3, one for Lord Mortimer, and the other for thb
prioress on the table, and then, with a kind of melancholy impatienee,
waited for the man, who was punctual to the appointed hour ol
Ihroe, and annonnced his arrival by a tap at the wicduw, 8h«
Itutaotly roM and •mbraoed the prioress in •ilence, who^aIn«nX. «c

420

I

tnnoL affected as herself, li&d oolj power to saj , " God blew joo,
dear cliild, aud mate jou as happy as you dcaerve to he."

Amnnda nhook her head mourufully, aa if to say, " alie ei]>ect£d no
happioesa," and than BofUy Btepping along the gallery, ojiened t
liall dour, where she found the nion waiting. Ilur little tronk vm
alraaily lying in the halt: aha pointed it out to him, and U iiooi
be had token it ho departed. Never did any being fed more forlorn
tliati Amanda now did; what she felt wUen quittiog the nuLTcbiiH
veas'a wua eoiiiparativbly happiness to what abe uow endored. I
tlien looked forward to the protection, comfort, and eupporl of a I
der parent; now she hod nothing In view whluh could id the li
cliecr or alleviate ber feelings. She caitt her monmful eyes around,
aud tlie objects ebe beheld heightened, if jiosslble, her aoj^uir^. Slia
beheld the old trees which shaded the grave of her father waving la
the uuruing breeze, and ohl bow ferveutly at that moment did si
wish that by his side she was laid beocatb their shelter! sh^ tonied
from theut with a hearlrrpuding sigh, which reaobed tbe ea' of tlie
man who trudged before ber. lie instantly turned, and see'ig lier
pale and trembling, told her he had an arm at her service, which
she gkdly accepted, being scarcely able to support her»elf : a «i
boat was wailing for tboni about half a mile above CasUeCarber-y; !t
conveyed them in a few moments to the vessel, which tlie master
previously told her would be nndor weigh directly; she was pi'wsed
to find his wile on hoard, who conducted Amanda to the oabiu,
where she found brealcfast laid out with ocatness for her. Slie VkiIc
some tea and a little bread, beijig almost eibausled with fatigue. Ber
cutiipaoion, imputing her dejection to feat's of crossing tlie sea, awired
her the passage would he vei'y short, and bid her observe how plainlf
they conld see the Scottish hills, now partially gilded by the beams of .
tlie rising sun; but beautiful as they appeared, Amanda's eye^ '^w
turned from them to a more beautiful object. Castle Carberry. Bh
then Bsked the woman if abe thought the castle could be seen from
the opposite coast, and she replied iu the negative.

"I am sorry for it," said Amanda mournfolly. Slie contiuuM kt
the wiadow for the melancholy pleasure of contemplatlDg it, (ill
compelled by sickness to lie down on the bed. Tlie woman atteniled
her with tlie most assiduous care, ami about four o'ljock in the afle^
iioon iiiformed her they bad reacho! Port Patrick. Arnauda arose,

and teaJiog for the muter, told Lim, " As ahe did oot wiah to go tc
an inn, lilje would thook hlu lo hire a.chttise to carry her diroctljr to
Mrs. Macpheraou'd.'' He wid ebe Bbould be obeyed, and Aniinda
having settled vritli him fur ber pastsoge, he weut on shore for th»t
jiorjioae, aod soon retuTDod lo inform Ler a carriage was ready.
Amanda, haiiog tluutked bis wife for her kind aiieniion, atuppctj ioio
the boat, and entered the chaise tlie moment «he landed. Ucr com-
panion told her he was well acquainted with Mrs. MacphersoQ, h«T-
in^ frequently carried paojuetn from Mrs. DemioC t« her. She lived
ihout fire milea from Port Patrick, he said, and near the Bea-ooast.
Tlicy accordingly soon readied her habitation; it was a small low
house, of a greyish colour, aitoated in a field almost covered with
t^iLjtles, and divided from the ruad by u rugged looking wall ; the se*
lay at a small distance from it; the coast heroabouts was extremely
rocky, ajtd the prospect oa every side wild and dreary ia the

Anuioila's companion, by her desire, went Brst into the house, to
prepare Mrs. Macpherion for her reception. He returned in a few
minutes, and telling Iter she was happy at her arriral, oonducted her
into tlie house. From a narrow poss^e Ilioy turned into a small
gloomy parlour with an clay floor. Mn. MacpLeraon was aittlng
in an old fashioned anu choir, ber face was abarp and meagre, her
stature low, and, like Otway'a ancient beldame, doubled with age;
ber gown was grey atutf, and though she wis ao low, it was not long
enougli to reach ber ankle; her black silk apron was curtailed in th«
tame mauner, and over a little mob cap she wore a handkerchief tied
under ber chin. She Just nodded to Amanda on her entrance, and
putting on a pair of large itpectaclea, surveyed her without speuking.
Amanda presented Mrs. Dermot's introdncCory letter, and tlien,
though unbidden, seated hers^ on ttie window-seat till she had
pernscd it. — Ilcr trunk in the meantime was brought in, and she paid
for the carriage, requesting at tlie same time the masler of the vessel
lo wait till she had heard what Mrs. Macphersoo would say. At
Itngtb the old kdy broke silence, and her voioe was quite ds ahar[i ai
her face.

"So, child," said she, again eorvojing Amanda, luid elavotino: lier
spectacles to have a bolter opportunity of speaking, " why, to iip sure
I did desire ray cousin to get me a yonug peraoD, but not one uO
yoimg, 10 very young, as y>ro appear to b«."

423 OHiLDKBN or TBm asset.

" Lord Lies* yoa," stud the man, " if lliia ia a &ult, whj it b o
that wi!l mend every day."

"Ay, ay," cried the old darae, "but it will mend a little too ilow
for me ; however, child, aa yon are ao well recommended, I will try
yoQ. My consin aaya Boniclhing abont your being well born, and
having »ecn better days: hon'WDr, child, I tell you beforehand, I
shall not consider what you liave been, bat what you aro now: I ahaH
therefore expect you to be inild, regular, and Bti«otive ; no flsunUng^
DO gadding, no chattering, but staid, sober, and modest."

" Blesa yon heart," said the man, " if yon look in her face, you will
Bee ahe'U be all yon desire."

" Ay, ay, so yon may say ; but I Bhonld bo very eorry to depend
apon the promise of a face; like the heart, it is often treacheraoK
and deceitftil; ao pray, young woman, tell me, and remember Z
expect a consclontioiiB answer, whether you think yon will be able to:
do as I wish t"

"Tea, madam," replied Amanda, in a voice almost choked by ih.%
variety of pwnful emotions she experienced.

"Well, then we are agreed, as you know the salary I give." Th»
master of the vessel now took hia leave, never having been asked bf
Ifrs. MaepherEon to take any refreahment.

The heart of Amanda sunk within her, from the moment all
entered Mrs. Macpherson'a door; site shuddered at being left with ■
unsocial a being in a place so wild and dreary; a hovel near S
Catharine's she would have thonght a palace in point of real comfortL
to her present hnhitalion ; aa she then eonld have enjoyed the aootb-i
ing society of the lender and amiable nuns. The presence of th»
master of the vessel, from the pity and concern he manifested for her^,
had something consolatory in it, and when be left the room she bunt.
into tears, as if then, and not till then, she had been ntterly aban>'
doned. She hastily followed him ont; "Give my love, my bert,
love," said alie, sobbing violently, and laying her trembling hand m|!
bis, " to Mrs. Dermot, and toll her, oh ! tell ber to write directly, aud
give me some comfort."

" You may depend on my doing so," replied he ; " bnt cheer n
my dear young lady, what though tJie old dame in the parlour ia •
little cranky, she will mend, no doubt; so heaven blosa yon, aiij^
make yon aa happy aa you deserve to ba."

Bad and ril«Dt, Amanda r«lnrn«d to t.h« parlour, and ^oaiinj 'lar

Eclf In tho winOov. strained her ejes after the carriage, which haJ

bri)U(:lit lier to tliis dismal spot.

"Well, child," said Mrs, Maophoreon, "do yon choose onythingf"
"I thank jou, madam," replied Amanda, "I eboald like a liillc

'■Oh, aa to tea, I have jtiat taken my own, and the thinfja are a'.I
irnshed and pat by; hot if you would like a glass of spirits and
iT.iier, and a croat of bread, yoa may have it"

Amanda eoid she did not.

"Oh, very well," cried Mra. Macpherson, "I shall not preaa yoa,
for supper will soon be ready. She tiien desired Amanda lo draw a
uliair near hers, and began torturing her with a variety of minnta
and trifling questions, relative to herself, the nuns, and t)ie neigh-
Dourhood of St, Catharine's. Amanda briefly said, her fether had
been in the anny, that many disappointments and losses had pro-
' vented his making any provision for her, and that on his death,
wliich had happened in the neiglibonrhood of the convent, the nnna
hod taken her out of compassion till she procQred an establishment
for herself." ■•

"Ay, and a comfortable one yon have procured jonraelf, I promise
yon," said Mrs. Macpherson, "if it ia not your own fault." She then
told Amanda, "she would amnse her by showing her her house and
other cuucerns." This, indeed, was easily done, as it consisted bnt
of tlie parlour, two closets adjoining it, and the kitcticn on the oppo-
site side of tlie entry: the other concerns were a small garden,
planted with kale, and the Held covered with thistles: "a good com
fortable tenement tliia," cried Mrs. Macpherson, shaking her head
with mucli satisfaction, as she leaned upon her ebony-headed oane,
and uLst her eyes around. She bid Amanda admire the fine prospect
before the door, and calling to a red-haired and bare-legged girl,
desired her to cut some tliistles to put into the fire, and hasten the
1>oiling lit the kale. On returning to the parlour she nnlocked a
press, and look out a pair of Coarse brown sheets to oir for Amanda.
She herself slept in one closet, and in the other was a bed for
Amanda, laid vn a half-decayed bedstead, without curtains, and
covered with ablnestnff quilt: the closet was lighted by one small
idtidow, wliith looked Into the garden, and its Aimilure conaiated of
■liroken oJiair, and a piece of looking-glaw stock to 0» -vd^.

424 0BI1.DBES ojr riiK iBBKr.

TIm promised anpp«r w»3 at lengdi served ; it consisted of ■ 1
heads of kale, some oaten bread, a jog of water, &iid a email [liiM
half full of spirila, which Ainaoda would not t&ate, and tbe ul<l Udf
herself took but epariogl; ; tliey were lighted by a, amoll (
/which, on retiring to their closets, Urs. Macpbersun cnt b^tWMK

Amaada felt relieved by bciog alone. She could now '•fitbcmfc'
reiitraiiit indulge ber tears, s>nd her reBeotion; tlmt she ooold o
eryoy auy satisfaction with a being ao imgracioua in ber inftimera, and
ao cjDtrocted iu ber notions, sbe foresaw; but disagreeable as ber
situatioD must be, she felt inclined to contiuae iu it, from tlie idea g|~
its giving her more opportunities of hearing from Mrs. Dorioot tluq
she should have in almost an; other plaue, and hj those opportaniti4|i!
alone could she expect to boar of Lord Uurtimer, and to hear of bi^
oven the most trifling airuimiBtaiiee, though divided, fur ever dividai'
from him, would be a source of exquisite though melancbolj pleasa

To think she should hear of him, at oncu soothed and fed 1
melancholy, it lessened the violence of sorrow, yet withoot abatilig
its ioten^eas, it gave a delicious aadnesa to ber eonl, she tlioagfat j|
would be ill exchanged for an; feeUngs short of tliese alie
experienced if her wishes had been occompUsbcd ; she ei^oyed |
penave luxury of virtuous gi'ief^ which mitigates tlie sharp

OfCMdliUl

■Dd which Aienaide so heantifnily describes; nor can 1 forba
quoting the lines he bos written to illustrate this truth :

Fati^ed by the ruDt«ndJng emotions she experienced as welt a> tl
Eicknius she wL'ut through at ten, Aimnda soon rt-tirud to lier Soj

Iie<1, niid Tell into a profonnd alumber, in which slie continccd UH
roii^etl in tlie nioming by tlie shrill voice of Mrs. Miicpl.ei
excliii tiling, as she rapped «t the door, "Come, come, Francts, it ia

Aioanda started from her sleep, forgetting both tlie name she bad
adiipted, and tlie place whore alie was : but Mrs. Maepherwn again
calling her to rise, restored her to her recollection. She replied slie
would attend her directly, and hnrrying on her clotliea was with her
in a lew minutes. She found the old lad; Mated at the hreokfaat
table, who, instead of returning her satutatioo, said, "that on account
of her fatigue she eiciued her Iving so long in bed this morning, for
it was now near eight o'clock ; hut in f^itnra she would expect her to
rijK before six in summer, and seven in winter, adding as there was
no clock, she would rap at the door for that purpose every morning."

Amanda assured her "she was fond of rising early, and alwayi
accustomed to it." The tea was now poured ouL, it was of the worat
kind, and sweetened with coarse brown sugar, tiio bread was oaten,
and there was no butter. Amanda, unosed to such anpalatnhle fare,
swallowed a lillle uf it with diFBculty, and then with some hesitation,
said, "she wiiuld prefer milk to tea." Mrs. Mncpheraon fhiwaM
exceedingly at this, and, after continuing silent a few minutes, said,
"she had really made tea for two people, and she conid not tliink oi
having it wasted ; besides (slie added) the economy of her house wai
so settled she could nut infrioge it for any one. She kept no cow
herself, and only took in as much milk as served her tea and oa old
tabby cat."

Amanda replied it was of no consequence, and Mrs Macpherson
Kiid, indeed she supposed so, and muttered something of people
giving themselves airs they had no pretension lo. The tea table was
removed before nine, when the school began; it consisted ul' about
thirty girls, most of tliem daughtem to fkrineraiu the neigh bourhoo'I.
Amanda and ihey being introduced to each other, and she being pre-
vionsJy informed what tlioy were tought, wa» desired to commence
the task of instmcting Uiem entirely her^ielf that day, as Mrs. Muc-
pherson wanted to observe her manner — a most unpleasant task
indeed for poor Amanda, whose mind and body were both harassed
by anxiety and fatigne. As sha bad nndertaken it, howevei', she
m)oWe<l to gn through it with ■■ mnoh nheerfiilQeia aii<l ^wtva-^ «&

I

420 OHILDRKK OF TUB iBBBY.

pmaible; fihe occordinglj acquitted herself to tli« HHtisToctiQii of'
MaupLcrsoB, wbo only found fault witli lier too macb geuUeDwa, ai
iiig, tlie children would never fear her. At two tho »chuol broke i
and Amanda almost as de1i|;hted as the children to be at liberty, n
running into the gardun tu try if the air woidd be of use to s violi
lioad-ache, when she was called back, to pot iJie funuu and oil
tilings in order ; she eolourcl, and stood motionless, till r«OoUeoti
llmt if she refused to obey Mrs. Macphersoa, a qoarrel would ;
biy eusue, which, drcitmHtanced as she was, without knowing i
to go, would be dreadfid, she silently performed what she bod
de-tired to do. Dinner was tiien brought in; it was as simple and
eporiug us a Dramin could de'iire it to be. ^'hen over, Mi
pherson composed herself to take a, nap in the large chair,
ruukiug a.Dj kind of apology to Amanda.

Lett at liberty, Amanda would now have walked out; but !t
just l>egsn to rain, and every tiling looked dreary and desolate:
the window in which she pensively sat, she had a view of the i
hioked black and tentpostuooe, aud she could distinguish ita
and nielancholy roaring as it dashed against the rocks. The lit
Burvant girl, as she cleaned the kitchen, sung a dismal Scotch ditty,
tiiat all conspired to oppress the spirits of Amanda with a d^octi
greater than she had ever before experienced : all bop« was at
extinct, the social ties of life seemed broken never more to be ro-u
ted. She had now no father, do friend, no lover, as heret^re,
soothe her feelings, or alleviate her sorrows. Like tlie poor Belvit
she J night have sdd.

Eas'd ber decUalnif ht

Her bcarL viuidar, lb* Is dUrfifirdsd,"

Like a tender sapling transplaaled from its native soil, she M«m«d
« Bland alone eiposed to every adverse blast. Her U'nrs gtufwd
.'orLli, and fell in showers down ber pale cheeks. Shu t^iglic^ fiirth

OBILDREN or Tax ABBIT. A2'l

(Jie name of her failjer ; " Oh I dear and moat henignaot of men," it)]0
ciclaimcd, " mj faUier and my friend, were jou liTiug I should not
be flo wretched; pity and tonsolatioii would then be mine: Oh I my
fatlior, one of the drearieat caverns in yonder rocks would be aa
asylum of comfort were yoa with mo; but 1 am aellish in these
regrets, certain as I am, that yoa ezdianged this life of wretchedneas
[i>r one of eternal peace, for one where you were again united to yonr
Mai Vina."

Her thoughts adverted to what Lord Uortimer, in all probability
uuw thought of her; but this wai too dreadful to dwell upon, con-
vinced aa she was, that from appearances, he must think moat
unfavourably of her. nig picture, which Lang in her boBora, slie
drew out : she gazed with agonizing tenderness upon it ; she pres^d
it to her lips and prayed for the oiiginal. From tliis indulgence of
sorrow she was disturbed by the waking of Mre. Macjihersan. She
hastily wijied away her tears, and hid the beloved picture. The
eveuiug post must disagreeably. Mrs. Macpberson was tedious and
imiui^jtivu in her discounie, and it was almost as painful to listen as
lo answer lier. Amanda was happy when the hunr of retiring to
lied arrived, and relieved her from what might be called a kind of
mental buudiige.

Such was tlie first day Amanda passed in her new habitation, and
a week elapsed in tlie sacue manner without any variation, except
that on Sunday she had a cessation from her laboura, and went to
the kirk with Mru. Mncpherson. At Uie end of the week slie foand
heraell' so extremely 111 from Uie fatigue and confinement slie endured,
as ties. Mocpherson would not let tier walk out, saying, "gaddera
were gt>od I'ur nothing ;" tluit she told her, " eicei)t allowed to go oat
every evening she must leave her, as she could not bear so sedentary
a lile." Mrs. Macphcrson looked disconcerted and grumbled a great
deal ; but as Amanda spoke la a resolute maimer she was frightened,
lest she should put her threats into execution, she was »o extremely
u.-ieful iu the scluMil, and at last told her, "she might take as much
exerdse as she pleased, every day after dinner."

Amanda gladly availed herself of this permission ; she explored all
tlie romantic paths about the house, hut the one she chietly delighted
r'j take was that which led to the sea ; she loved to ramble ahuut the
Uaoli, when fatigoed u> ait dowa upon the fragmeat of a ruek, uid

429 oaiLSaii* of tsb iBBsr.

looted towards tlje opposite shore ; vainly tliea would she tr]r 1
ili.icover bohib of the olgects she koew so well ; Castle Carbetrj wi
QtWrtf nndistiagaisliable ; bat abe know tlie spot ou whioh it
and derived a melanolioly pleasure from looking thst way.

In these retired rooiblea she would freqaentlj indnlge her
and gaze upon the picture of Lord Mortimer. She feared
tiun, the rocks formed a kind of reuesa about her, and In going
llietn slie seldom met a creatare.

CHAPTER XLII.

T paiised in this way, and she began to feci
w at not hearing from Mrs, Dermot : if ranch longer sQal
Bho retiolved on writing, feeling it itnpoBsible to enilnre maoh longt
the agony her ignorance of Lord Mortimer'a proceedings gave fa
The very morning previona to tlie one she had flied for writing, a)
saw a sailor coming to the house, and believing he was the bearer i
a letter to her, uhe forgot everyttiing but her feelinga at (lie n
and starting from herseat ran from the room — shemethimafew ju
from llio house, and then perceiving ho was one of the sailore «rf ti
Tcssel siie had come over in — "You haven letter fur me, I hopel"
said Amanda. The man nodded, and fumbling in his bosom for « ~
moment, pulled out a large packet, whicli Amanda anatohed with
eager transport from him ; and knowing she could not attempt tu
bring him into the house fur refreshment, gave him a crown lu
procure it elsewliere, which he reoeived with thankfulneaa, and
departed. She then returned to the parlour, and was liastening to
her closet to read the letter, when Mrs. Macphenon stopped h».
" Hey-dey," cried slie, "what is the matter? What is all tbu fim
about? Why, one would think that was a lore-letter, yon ore so veij
eaitor to read it."

" It is not, tlien, I can assure yon," said Amaudn.

"Well, well, and who is it fhnnt"— Amanda reflected, that if ibe

caiLDain or lui abbet. 429

said from Mrs. IHrmo^ a nnmbor of impertinent qneations would lie
ssKed her, she therefore replied, from a rery partiooJar friend!"
''From a very particular fnend! Well, I suppose there is nothing
about life or deatb in it, eo yon may wa't ".ill after dinner to rea<i ii,
(ind pray ait down now, and liear tiie cliildrcn llieir ipcUing lessons."
This waa a tantalizing moment to Amanda; she Btood heal latin;;
whethershe should obey, till refleoting.thut ifshe went now to read tlic
packet, she would rcost probably be intermpled ere bIib hud got
tliroiigh half tlie contents, she resolved on putting it up till after diu-
ner. The moment at last came for Mre. Mi>c[ herson's usual na|i, and
Amanda instiintly hastened to a recess amongst the rocks, whei'e
mating herself she broke tlie seal ; tlie envelop contained two letters :
■,Ke first ehe cast her eyea n|>on was directed ia Lord Cherbury's hand.
See t.nmbled, tore it open aud read as follows:

, do yoQ say yon never will receive
j-eiuniary favours from me. ll is not yoii. but I, should lie under
ot.igutioiu from their am^ptanoe, I should deem myself the most
U[./r;ttcfnl of mankind, if I did not insist on carrj-iiig [Ids point: I
ft.n just returned to LoLiduii, and shali immediately order my lawyer
to Jraw up a deed, etitit.ltng you to three hundred jionnds a year,
which when completed 1 »hall transmit to the prioress (as I have this
iettcr) to send to you, I am sensitjie, indeed, tliat i never can
recompense the socrlGce vun have made me, the feelings it has
uxuitei] i shall not attempt to express, because language conid never
do them jastice ; but yon may conceive what 1 mnst firel for the being
who hsi preserved me from dishonour and destmction. laminformed
Lord Mortimer has left Ireland, and theretbre daily expect him in town.
I have now not oi^ every bo[ie, hut every prospect of his complying
with my wishes ; Tins, I imagine, will be rather pleasing to you to
hear, that j'ou may linow tliut the sacrifice yon have made is not
made in vajn' but will be attended with all the good conscouences I
expected to derive from it. I should again enjoy n tolerable degree
of |>eace were I assured you were happy; but tiiis is an assurance I
will ho[« noon to receive, for if you are not happy, who has ■ right
lo expect being so? you, whose virtoo is so pure, whose generosity ia
SI) noble, so heroic, so far superior to any I have ever met with.

"Thai in this world, as well as in the neit, you may be rcwnrdrd
frr ,L is, dear madam, the sincere wish of him, who has Uie lionoui
III BuWribe himself

' Tonr most grateM, most obliged,

"And moit obedient hmnble Kervani^

430 OBILDRSK or TUB ABBBT.

"Unfeeling man!" escluraed Aicanda, "howHtlle is jmw he
interested in wbat jou write, and fcow slight do yon make of I
Bttcrifioe I liave made you, how cnelly mention yoor hopes whidi i
derived from the destruction of nuQe. No, sooner wonld I wanil
from door to door for charity, than lie indebted to yonr ostentAtifl
gratitude for support, yon whose treachery and vile deceit have mtn
my linppiuess." She closed the letter, and oommitling it lo t
pocket, took op the other, whitrb she taw by the direction woa fr<
her dear Mrs, Bermot.

"Ah! my dear ohild, why e*tort a promise from me of
minute in relating every thing which bnppened in oonsequeoce
your departure, a promise bo solemnly givt^n, that I dare ool roo
from it; yel most unwillingly do I Keep it, sensible as I am tbat
imelligenoe I have to commouicate will but aggravate yuir sorrow
Metliiiiks I hear you ejolaira at this; aurely, niy dear Mra. Derma
yon who know my disposition and temper so well, might suppo^
would receive such intelligence with a fortitude and patience thi
would prevent its materially injuring me; well, my dear, lioping "' "
will be the case, I begin, without further delay, to commnuii
pttrticnlors.

"You left me, you may remeniber, about three o'clock; I t

went to be«l, bnt so fatigued and oppressed 1 could scarcely sleep,

and WAS qnite nnrefreshed by what I did get. After prayeni'
repaired to the parlour, where the assiduous care of sister Ifary bl
already prepared every thing for your breakfast and Lord HoRjiner
I told the Bisters not to appear ^U they were sent for. I had
been long alone when Lonl Muirtmer come in, cheerflit, bl
animated. Never did I see happincsis so rtrongly imprused in
countenance sa in his; he looked indeed the lover about rvcdi
the precions reward of constancy. He asked me had I seen y
I answered. No. lie soon grow impatient, said you were a iozy i
and feared you would make a bad traveller. Ho then rang the
and desired the maid to go and call yon. Oh I my dear ^rL
heart almost died within me at this moment ; 1 averted my head
pretended to be luuhing in Uie garden, to conceal my confusion. '
maid retiimed in a few Tninufcn, and said you were not above. Tl
said Lord Mortimer, the is in some other apartment, pray searcfi
hasten her hither, in a few minutes after she departed, sifter Uair,
all pale and breathless, mshed into Uie room. "Oh, heaven'sl" cri«l
she. " Miss Fitzalan cannot be fonnd, but here are two letter* I fbond
on her dressing table, one for yon, madam, and one fur Ltird liloni-
mer." I know not how he .boked at this instant, I'ur a gnilcy qod.
e over his mind, which prevented my roiaing my exw
I took the letti?r in silence, opened, but bad no power* te

rfnil !t]. Sister Mary stooi] hj me, wringing hor hands and weeping,
HH stio e-TclaimB'!, "What — what does she say to toq)" I coiilil
Tititlier aiiawor her nor move till a (laep sigh or rather groan from
Lord STonimer rnnsed me. I started from ray soot, (ind porceiveil
him pnle and motiuDles.*, the letter open in his hand, upon which his
evo^ were rivetted. I threw open the garden door to g^ve him air;
tfiis a little revived him.

" Be comfi)rted, my lord," snid I. He shook bis head monmfiilly,
niid waving his hand for me neither to speak or follow him, piuseil
into the garden. "Blessed heaven I" said sister Hary agiun, "what
iloes she say Ui yon ?" I gave her your letter and desired her to road
i^ aloud, for the tears which flowed at the afibctiog ai'tnation of Lord
Mi'L'Iimer, quite ohsciired my sight ; and here my dear child, I must
ili!i'1nre rhatyon have heen too generons, and sIeo, that the sam you
Vtrnyod gb into takintf, is but eonsdered as a !o8n foros; but, to
return to my first subject, the ftlnrm concerning yoa now became
general, and the nuns crowded into the room, grief and consternation
in every countenance. In abont half an hour I saw Lord Mortuner
retnriiing to the porlnnr, and I then diaroisaed them. He had been
eniie^ivnitring To compose himself, bnt his efforts for doing so wore
'iieffectual. He trembled, W(u pale us death, and spoke with a falter-
in;; voice. He gave me your letter to read, and I put mine into his
|]:ind. " Wall, my lord," said I, on perusing it, " we mast rather pity
til an condemn her."

" From ray soul," cried he, " I pi^ her — I pity such a being as
AitiEinda Fitsnlan, for being the slave, the prey of vice ; but she has
been erne! to me, she hns deceived, inhomunely deceived me, and
bi.isteJ my peace forever."

■• Ah, my lord I" I repKed, " thongli appearances are agair.jt her, I
.^an never believe her guilty; she who performed all the dutiM of a
child as Amanda Fitzalan did, and who, to my certain knowledge,
was preparing herself for a life of poverty, can never be a victim to

" Mention her no more," cried he, " her name is like a dacf^r to
my heart; the snspioions, which but a few nighta ago 1 ooaid it&va
liir.ed myself for ontertdnlng, are now confirmed; they intrnded on
my mind trom seeing Iklgrave haunt this place, and IVom finding her
secreteil amidst the ruins at a late hour. Ah, heavens! when I
noticed her coiifiLiion, how eittjly did she exculpate herself to a lieart
prepossessed like mine in her favour. Unhappy — onfortuoate girl —
tiad and pitiable is thy fato ! bnt may on early repentance snatcli thee
fniiQ the villain who now trinmphs in thy rain, and may we, since
thus iepamlod, never meet aRaiu. 9o well," continned "he, "aio I
convinced of the cause of her night, that lihall not make one inqniry

cinld touch nothing, and said he must return directly to Oo.ttle Oar-
berry, but jiroiiiiHed in the course of the day to see me again. I fol-
lowed him into the hall; aithe sight of yooc cotdKA^i.«i\i* *»««&-

\

i-J2 cniLDEBK or thc ibdb

and shrunk back with ttist kind of melsnclioly horror 'Wfiieh wef
iiivDiiintnrily fuel wljen viewing any tiling lliftt beli>iigei] to ft dtU'
\oil Meliil. I HfLW his etnutious were sgonizhig; he lijtl' bii Jsce irilkf
lii« hiuii!l:ercliiet ami with a liasly slep ttswrndwl to bii
whiuli, Willi A IravolUnjf ohdse, was waiting at tlie dtwr.

" I i)WD 1 wan often terapted, in tha ctmrae of conrerMitina, to tdi
Iiiin all I knew about you ; bnt the promise I had i^ven yon still TVMf
tu my view, and I felt, witlioat your iiormisaion, I cmM [uit break it]'
yet, iny dear, it is siiooting to me to have such inipmatiuns ca!4 oo
you. We cannot hlanie Lord MiTtinier for tham ; situutcil an
are with liim, your cund^ial, has naturally excited the most ii^jut
iinanicions ; sureiy, my oliild, thongli not allowed to solve the tay^Xberf*
which has separated you frcm him, you n ay ha allowed to viuiiliamA
your condncl, the saarifioe of fame and hapinnesa is too mnoli; c
aider and weigh well what I say, and if possible, anthorize loe
I inform Lord Mortimer that I know of your retreat, and lliat yoa'
have retired neither to a. lover or to a friend, bnt to indigence andj
obsDurity, led tliitlier by a fatal necessity which yon are buUBil Mt
congeal, and feel more severely from tliat circuinstnnce ; be w<mld,.£*
am conlident, credit my words, and then, instead of condeiiinittgiff
vrould join me in pitying you. Ttie more I reflect on yonrunaccunn^
able separation, the more am I bewildered in conjectures relutlre b
it, and convinced more strongly than ever of ttie frailty of lilt ~
ioy, which, like a smniner cloud, is bright hut transitory in ib S|
dour. — Lord Mortimer had left the convent about two hours, *ii"
his rnan arrived to dismiss the traTelimg chaise and BttendnnDs : _ .
went oat and inquired after liis lor<l. " He is verv bad, madanti*'
said he, " and this has been a sad rooming for ns all." Never, rift
dear Miss Fitzalan, did I, or the sisterhood, pass so melnncholy ■ (Lqp>J
About five in the afternoon I rec«ived anotltcr visit from Lord Mmu
timer; I was alone in the parlour, whicli he entered with an appearu
ance of the deepest melancholy; one of his arras was in a abng; \m
was terrided, lest he and Belgrave had met-^He conjectured, I boOT,
the occasion of the terror my ooantenance expressed, for ho unmewi
atelv «ud he hod tieen ill on retnrning to Castle Carberry, and WM
bled. He was setting otT for Dahlin directiy, he said, from wh

be intended to embark for En^^lnnd; but 1 coald not depart, my

good friend, (continued he,) without bidding you farewell : bealdci £|
want to assure you, that any promise winch the unfortnnnte fft
made yon in my name I aliall hold sacred. I knew he alluded to thi
fifty ;ionnda which he desired you to tell me should be annuAllj
remitted to onr honse; I instantly therefore replied, that ^ra h«
already been rewarded bevond onr expectation or desires for an^
little attention we showed Miss Fitzalan: but iila generous rtsolatioai
waa not to be shaken. lie looked weak and exhausted. I begnd-i^
permission to make tea for him ere he commenced bis journey, lifl
consented. I went out of the room to order in the things. Wl
returned he was standing at the window which looked into the nt*
den, M absorbed in metHtation, be did not bear m«. T board U^

Lccunn^
itlre ti9d
liitinaM
AsplaM

CBiLbBSS or mi mnEir. 438

•or, " ctnel Amonilal is i( tLns you liave rewarded my siitTiTings 1"
I Votreate'l lest lie should be conftLied by supposing liiuiself over-
heard, and did not retain till the maid brought in the lea tiling.

" When he arose to depart he looked wavering aiid agitated, as if
thero waa Bomething on hia mind he wanted cotirage to say. At last,
"■ '' I deadly paleness of liis compWioii gave
aid, "I left Mis* FiUalan'* letter with

"Ah! my dear! never did man love woman better than he did,
than lie now lovea yon. I took the letter from my pocket, and pr^
seuied It to him. He put it in \m bosom with an emotion Ibni
shoot his whole frame. I bailed Ihia aa a favourable opportunity for
og^n speaking in yonr favour : I hid him retrospect your post actions.
nud judge from them whether yon conld be gnilly of a crime. — He
s-iopped me short; and begged rae to drop a subject he wa% unable to
tiear. Had he been leas t^radnloos he said, he should now have been
much happier: then wrin^ng my hand he bid me farewell, in n voice
nnd witJi a look, that drew tears from me. " Ali, my dear matlaml"
cried he, "wlien thb day eommnicod, how differently did I think it
would have terminated."

*' 1 attended him to his ctorikfrat he was obliged to lean upon his
man as he ascended it, and liia kiolc^ and agitation proclaimed the
deepest distress. I hare sent repeatedly to Castle Carberry since his
departure to inquire about him, and have been informed, that tliey
cTpect to hear nothing of him till Lord Cherbnry'e agent cornea fnut
the country, which will not be these tliree months.

"I have heard much of tlie good he did in the neighbourhood: ba
WM a honDteous and benevolent spirit indeed ; to our commuDity ho
liM been s liberal benefactor, and our praters ore daily omred
up for his restoration to health and tranqnilhty. Among his other
actions, wlien in Dublin, about three months ago, he ordered a monn-
ment to the memory of Captain Fitialan, which has been brought
down since your departure, and pot into the parish church where he
'.s interred. 1 sent sister Uary and another of the nnns the other
evening to see it, and tliey brought me a description of it; It is a
white marble urn, ornamented witli a foliage of laurel, and standing
upon k pedestal of gre^', on which the name of the deceased, and
words to the following tfltct, are inscribed, namely, " That he whose
uemor}' it perpetuate^ performed the duties of a christian and a
loldior, with a fidelity and leal that now warrants hia eujojiiig a
blessed recompense for both."

'• ! know this proof of respect to your father will deeply affect tou ;
but I would not omit teUing it, because, though it will aflccl, 1 am
confident it will also please you. Tbe lute erenle have nast a gloom
ir spirits. Sister Mary now prays more thsn ever, and yon

know I have often told her she'
It is a bad world ahe says

3nlv fit for a religious v._ _

onJ ahe is glud she has so little

u longing to bear from you. Pray t«ll ta^Ww ■^wi.XCsJi'M.t^

UacpherwD; 1 have Dot seen Iter since iier youth, and j«mt ol
produce aa great a change in tlie temper as ihe t'ace ; at any rAl« jr
present eitnatioD is too obscure for ;oa to coutinue in, ami as eooi
your thoughts are collected and composed jou must look out
aoothof. I hope joa nill he conatant ta writing; but I tell ;
beforebiuid, jou mtist uot expect me to be punctual in inj anawen
have beea ao long disused to vriting, and my eyes are grotrs
weak; thia letter has been the work" of many daj^ be^iilas, 1 h.
really nothing interesting to eomrauuicalo : whenever 1 Jiave, ;
may be assured I shall not lo^e a moment in inforiuing you.

" The woman was extremely thankl'id for the five guineas you '
her. Lord Mortimer sent five more by his man, so that itlie lUii
herself well rewarded for any trouble or disappoiutmeut she eiyi
enccd. — If you wish to have any of your thlngn sent to you, actios
me, you know I shall never want an opportunity by the master of
vessel, lie speaks largely of your geiierttdty to liitn, and ezpr«8
much pity ot seeing so young a person in such melancholy. 1
heaven, if it does not remove the source, at loast leascu thia mel

" If possible, allow rae to write to Lord Mortimer, and vindic

£oa from t]>e unworthy auspicinns he euterinJn)! of yon: I ko
e would believe me, aud I should do it without distuvering y
retreat. Farewell, my dear girl; T reoommend yon constantly ta
oare of heaven, aud b^ yuu to belicTe yon will ever be deAr i
interesting to the heart of I^ij^ahrtk DanMOV.'

"St. CatharimU."

Poor Amanda we|>t over this letter. "I have ruined Ilie hea!
the peace of Lord Uortimer," she exclaimed, "and he now exccrt
me as the eource of bis unhappiness. Olit Lord Cherbr.ry, L
severely (to I suffer for your crime 1" Slio began to think her vir
had been too heroic in the sacritice she had made; bat this ^
a tr.iiisient idea, for when she reflecteil on the diepoaition of L
Cherbnry, she was convinced the divulgetnent of his secret wo
have been followed by his death, and great as was licr present wr«i
«dnea^ she felt it light compared to the horrors she knew aha wu
experience, could ahe occuao herself of being accessary ta sr^ch
event ; she now drank deeply of the cnp of misery, but consia'vtis i
litnde, in some degree, lessened ita noxious bitterness. She reso!'
to caution Urn. Dermot against mentioning her in any manner
Lord Mortimer, She was well convinced he would believe no nse
mtition of her innocence, and even if he did, what end ooulc
arswer? Iheir union wat opposed by an obstacle not ta be snrmoi
»l if he poiicht and discovert'd ber retrent, ir ivmihl rmly l.-n.

435

new sorrows, porliapa occflsion aome dreadful catastrophe. "We are
»o[iarated," cried site, folding ber liands together, " forever separated
id tliia world, bm in heaven we ahall again be re-iinitcd."

Absorbed in the reflectiona and norrow this letter gave rise to, she
remuned in her seat till Mrs. Macjiherson''s Utile girl suddenly
ap[>eared before her, and said her mistress hail made tea, and was
woriderini^ what kept her so !ong.

Amanda inalaiitlj arose, and carefully pulling up ihe letter returned
to tlie house where she found Mrs. Macpberson in a very bftd
nnmour. She grumbled exceedingly at Amanda's staying out so
long, and taking notice of her eyes being red and swelled, said,
*' indeed she believed she was right in supposing she liad got a love-
letter."

Amanda made no reply, and the evening passed away in peevish*
nesa on one side, and silence ou the other.

The charm which had hitherto rendered Amanda's situation tolera-
ble, was now dissolved, as Mrs. Dermot had said ahe woold write but
seldom, and scarcely eipected to have anything interesting to relate ;
she would gladly, therefore, have left Mrs. Mflcpheraon immediately,
but she knew not where to go. She resolved, however, ere winter
was entirely set in, to request Mrs. Dermot to look oat for some other
lilaie for her ; aa she had connesiona in Scotland, she tlionght aha
might recommend her to them aa a governess, or a fit peraon to do
Gae works for a lady.

She arose long before her nsnal hour tbe next morning, and wrote
a letter expressive of her wtsbee and intentions to Mrs. Dermot,
whicli she sent by a poor man who lived near the house to the poet-
Ir.wn rewarding him liberally for hi) trooble.

THE iBBSr

CHAPTER XLm.

ho]tiyio(WHi«iti!p,

The Imift tecurlfj'^ kDd muluAl teatteTnai

FiieQdHhJp, our onlj- vcihlih. aur tut reircfct uiil fltrcnftb,
Bccore ftcalnvL Ul fortuiw aaU tb« world t

Auosa Mrs. Macphereon's pupila were two little girls, who p.eosed
uid interested Amaada greatly. — Tlieir Tatlier, for whom they wera
in mourning, had purialicd in a violent storm, and tlieir mother hsd
jiined in health and spirits ever since the fatal nrcident — the kindueu
ivitli which Amanda trenlcd tliein, ihuy re|>aid wiUi grntttnde and
itteniion ; it had a double effect upon their httle hearths fKiin btuig
cuniraste<l with the sour antterity of Mrs. Macpherson; they told
Amanda, in a whi9|)er, one morning, that their maiuuia was coming
to see tlieir dear, good Fronoea Donald.

Accordingly, in the course of the day, Mrs. Duncan canie; sne wm
jonng and pleasing in her appearance ; her weeds and deep d^cctioa
rendered her a most interesting ohject. She sat hy Amanda, and look
AH opportunity, while Mrs Macpherson was engaged with some of
the children, to teli her in a low voice, " she was truly obliged ta htf
for the groat attention and kindness ebe slio'nred ber little girls, ho
unlike their former treatment at the school. The task of instmcting
them was hers," she said, " till her dechning health and spirits ren-
dered her ^o longer able to bear it." Amanda assured her, "it wai
a pleasure t^i Instruct minds so docile and sweet tempered as theirs."
Mrs. Doncan, as she rose to depart, asked her and Mrs. Macpherson Ut
tea that evening, wluch invitation was instantly accepted by Mrs.
Macpherson, who was eitretnely fond of being sociable every where
but in her own bouse. Mrs. Duncan hved bnt a little distance, and
every thing in and about the bouHe was ueat and comfortable, tihe
had an old neighbour In the [larlonr, who kept Mrs. Macpherson in
chat, and gave her an opportnnity of conversing freely with Amanda.
Slie mai'ked the delicacy of her looks, she fiatd, "She believed shs
■wu Ul qualified to endure so fatiguing a liTe an her prauut." Sli*

HI

mentioned her own lonely and nielanoliolj life, and the bappineas shB
TToiild (I'Hvo frbm liaviag such a ooinpaniou, and Bxpre^sed her bopei
of often ei^ojing her society. Amanda sud 'liis woold be iin]>o3sibIa
without disobliging Hrs. Hacpherson, and Urs. Dnncan on reflectiun
aUowod it wuQld be so. Slie tlien iDijuired if she ever walked:
Amanda replied she did, and was asked where she generally rambled ;
by tjie sea side slie replied.

Mrs. Dancati sighed deeply, and her eye^ filled with tears: "it it
Lbere I generally ramble loo," said she. This led to ttie mention of
lier late loss ; " Mr. Dmican had been tlie kindest, beat of husbands."
the said ; " the first years of their marriage were attfioded with dilH-
nultles, which were jost removed when he was lost on a party of
iileasure with several others. It was some consolation, however,"
continued Mrs. Duncan, ''that the body was oast upon the shore,
u. J I had the power of paying the last ritea of decency and respect to
dim."

In short, between her and Amanda there appeared a mutual fiym-
pathy, which rendered them truly interesting to each other. From
this period tliey met generally every evening, and passed many hunrs
on " t!ie sea-beat shore," talking and often weeping over "joys
departud never to return I" Ura. Duncan was too delicate to inijuire
into Amanda's former situation, but was too well oonviuced it had been
very different from her pi-oseut one. Amanda, however, of her own
accord, told t:er what she bod told Mrs. Macplierson, respecting her-
telf. Mrs. Duncan lamented her misfortunes, but since she had met
them, blessed the happy chance which conducted her near her habi*

A month passed in this manner, when one evening, at the UKnal
place of meeting, Mrs. Duncan told her, "that she beheved sha
should soon be quitting that part of the country." Anionda started,
and turned pale at this disagreeable intelligence. She ha<l received
no answer to her tetter thtm Mrs. Dermot, oonsetiuently dreaded that
Decessitj would ct)mi)el her to remain in her present situation, nni!
on Mrs. I)uncan^s luuiiity she lind dfpcnded for rendering it bi-arahlc

'' I have bxen invited, my dear girl," said Mrs. Dnncan, leaning ou
arm, as they walked np and down the beach, "lo reside with an
I knot, who has always been kind, and was particularly so to ma ia idt

438

distrcs?. Slie lives itboQt ten miles from tlila, nt an o!J placi
Danre«tli Abbey, of wliich she is hou.wkeeper, Have yon e-^er heard
cf it!" Amaada'a agiUIion, at hearing her mother's native hab;ta-
liaa mentioned, is not to be described; her Letirt palpitated; she felL
her colour cliauge, and said Ye«, and No, to Mrs. Duncan, witliout
knovrint; wbat she answered ; then recollecting herself, she replied,
"slie had heard of it."

" Well, Ibeo, my dear," continued Mrs. Duncan, " mj aunt, as I
have already told you, is housekeeper tliere; elie lives in great gtaa^
denr, for it is a magnificent old teat, and has the absolute co
of everytlung, aa none of tJie fiunily linve resided at it since the £ar]
of Da breath's decease.

" My sunt is lately grown weary of the profound solitude in whicL
Hbe Uvea, and has luked me, in a letter which 1 received this a
ing, to go immediately and take up iny reaidenoe with lier, promiung
if I do she will leave everything she is worth to me ai>d my ohildnn,
and as her salary is very good, 1 know she muat have saved a good
deal; this is a very tempting offer, and I am only witbhdd from
accepting it directly, by the fear of dopnTing my children of tha
advantages of education."

"Why," said Amanda, "what they learn at Mre. UacpheTson'a
they could easily learn anywhere else."

"And I intended, when they were a little older," replied iin.
Dunoan, " to go to some one of tlie neighbouring towns wit^ Lheto ;
if I once go to my annt, I must entirely relinquish sach an idea, utd
to a boordiiig-aliool I oould not send them, for 1 have not fottilud* tr
bear separation Irom tijcin; wliat I wi.sli, therefore, is to procniWA
person who would be at ouoe a pleasing companioa for me, and an
eligible gnverness for them ; with such n iiereon, Uie aolitiide of Dsn-
reath Abbey would be rattier agreeable tliun irksome to me."

She looked camet^Ily at Amatiila as she spoke, and Amanda's heart
began to throb with hope and agitation, " In short, my dtor girl,"
continued she, "yon. of all others, to be expicit, are the person I
would choose to bring along with mo; your sweet sodtty lroal<5
alleviiito my sorrows, and your elegant accomiilislimeuls give to toy
children all the advantages I desire theni to possess."

" I am nut only flattered, but happy by your prepussMrfon i> ay ,
favour," replied Amanda.

4SI*

"I mil jileitsiiil »« ajfreo iu |>«iiic onitcliuatiwu," uuid ilj^, Duiieau,
"but 1 must D«w iulunn ;i>u llikt niy auut Ubs lUwitya butiii bvur^e li:
■dmit any strftng^r lo Uie Abbey: wliy, I know ciut, uico;;>l il. is by
<lie couiNiitiiils uf th« Ikuiily. and aha leUi me in her leitcr. llm^ If I
accept her invilutiuu, I muet not, on ouj auoonut, kt it be kauwn
■vliere I am removing to; I dare not, tlierofore, bring yuu with me
witliout her permission; but I shali writ« immediately, and request
it. In the coorse ol' a day or two, I may expect an answer^ in tlie
mean time, give Mrs. Macpherson no intimation of our present
intentions, lest they sliould be defeated. AmtuiJa promised Nhti
wonld not, and tltey Beparated.

She was uow in a state of the greatest ngitalion, at tlie piohiibility
there was that she might Tiait tlie seat of ber ancestoi-d. blie diitaded
a diMppointiitent, and feit tliat if alie went tliere a& the (.>om)iaiiion of
M.n. iHinuan, she sliould be better uinated than, a few hours before,
sfae bod ever ex^ieoted to be again. Two eveoings afler bor conver-
sation with Mrs. Duncan, ou going to the beach to meet ber, alie «aw
Iier Bpiiroauliing witli an open letter in her liond, and a smile on Iter
iiico, which iafunned her its coul«nt£ were pleasing. Tbey were ao,
indeed, as tliey gave permission to have Amanda bronglit to the
'Ab1>ey, provided she promised inviolable secrecy as to where shewai)
going. This Amanda cheerfoliy did, and Mrs. Duncan uud, she had
coma aillura to settle, which would prevent their departore for a few
Aayi: at whatever time she appointed, her aunt was to send a car-
riage for them, and it was agreed that Mrs. Macplicr»on should be
informed iirs. Dnncan woa leaving that part of the country, and had
engaged Amanda as a governess to ber children,

Mrs. Duncan then mentioned her own torma. Ainfltido awnred
her an idea of them had never entered her thot;ghts. Mrs. Duncan
said she was sure of tliat, but at the same time tliought between Ibe
most intimalo friunds eiactoess iibonld be preeerve<l. Every tiling
l>eing settled to their mutual Mtis&ction they sepuraied, and the
following day, a^er schixil broke up Amanda informed Mrs, Mac-
fherma of ber intended departnrv. The old dame was thunder-
ruck, and for some time nnable to speak, but when she recovered
B« of her tongue, expressed the ntraost rnge and indignation
it Amanda, Mk. Duncan, and the Prioress; ngaiiiBt the first for
hinkiug of leaving her, the second for inveiKling hit ownj, and tbe

440

BBIT.

t[;ird f'.r reporameinling tt person wlio conld eerrt her tn esd) •
mjuier. Wtien she stupped, «xlma9[<.-d tij Ler viulunoa, AidmiiU
UK>k the <ip]>ortuiiil7 of assuring her tliat she had do rea&on to oai>-
demn any uf them, as for her part, jirevinUH to Hn. l)aneaii't otSti,
sb« inleDdi,-d to leavo ber, being unable to bear a life of sncb fatifw :
ibnt, an Ijer removal would Dot be iminedialo, Vn. Uaupbersu'C b>i:lJ
iotftir no iUGODVunteDre by it, iLere bclog tiuie «nuugb To look ont !V>t
anoElier person ere it t<iok place: but tbt truui now broke fron ittt.
Macplierson, angry as abb wub with Amanda, sbe could not help eo«-
fessing, that slie never again expected lo meet nitb S p4M^03 to tnH
(jualilied to pieaf« her, aud a torrent of bitter repruacbea o^it bani
forth for ber quitting btr.

Amanda relented tiioiii not, but did all in her power to nu>!Jfy
her; as the most efiecluol method of doiug so, she declaivd i>ht
meant to lake no recompense for the time ebe bad been with liv,
■od added, if she had her permission, sbe would writs Ihftl Tcrj
evening to Urs. ])ennot about a wotuan ehe bad seen tA the o<>iiv«nt,
whom ulie tlioiigbt well qualified to be ou asuistaDt in ber nhooL
This Was the woman who bod been engaged to attend Ler to ^"gUlHI. .

compuiion, and two iloj*s after the receipt of tlie letter, Mrs. DnnMui
lold Amanda their juuruej nos Sxed for the ensuing du;, and begged
Amaoda to sleep ut lier house that niglit, to vhich she gladly ooa-
■ent«J ; according); afler dinner she took leave of Mi's. Uacpherson,
who g.-^iubled out a ferett'ell, and a hope tliat gho might not have
reaaou to repent quitting her, fur the old todj nan so iDcensed to have
tlie phtue Mrs. Duncan waa goicig to, concealed from her, that all her
ill humour had retuined. Amanda with a pleuaure «ho could Gcurobly
ooDceol, quitted her luhospitaLle mansion, and attended by a man
who carded her trank, Boon found herself at Ura. Duncan's, where
she was recBiveU with every demonstration of joy. The evonin;;
p&9»ed Etocinbly away ; they arose early in the morning, and bad jnEt
breakfasted when the ei[)ected carriago flram Dnnreath Abbey arrived;
it wait a heavy, old- fashioned chaiae, on whose faded panel;^ the arms
of the Dunreath family were atill visible. Mrs. Duncan's luggage
had been sent off the preceding day, so that there was nothing now
lo delay them. Kra. Duncan made Amanda and the children go into
the cluuse before her, but detained by an emotion of the moat painful
nature, she lingered some time ujmn the threshold ; she lould not
Indeed depart from the habitation, where she Lad part su many happy
days with tJie man of her tendereat affections, without a llood of
tea's, ■»hic!i spoke the bitterness of her feehngs. Amanda knew too
well l!:e nature of those feelings to attempt restraining tliein ; but Ihc
Bttle children, impatient to begin their Jom'ney, called out tti their
mamma to come into the cmrjage. She alarted when they spoke,
but instantly complied with their desire: and when tliej exprosaeti
Iheir grief at seeing her cheeks wet with tears, kissed them both, and
taid she would soon recover iier sjiiiits ; she accordingly exerted her-
»alf for that purpose, and was soon in a condition to converse with
Amanda. The day was fine and serene: they travelled leisnrely, for
the hor«e« had long outlived Uieir mettlesome days, and gave ihem an
opportunity of ationtively viewing the prospects on each side, whieli
wiire various, romantic, and bentitifid ; the novelty of tlie Bv«ues, the
Uiiiagreeable place she had left, and tlie idea of the place slio was
going to, helped a tittle to enliven llie pensive soul of Amanda, end
slie enjoyed a greater degree uf trampiillity than she had befo.t;
eiporionred nioee her sepAraliou from Lord Mortimer.

caiLOBiji iw Tui

CHAPTER SLIV.

I

'* Mt <!car, ilcw Finny," aaid Mrs. Dunoaa, addrassiDg our tiCfmM
li^ Iicr borrowed name, "if at all iLclincil tu eupMstitiao, joa ir*
now guing to d plnco which will call it forth. Donreatfa Abbq; U
Uutlilo and gloomy In the extreme, and recolk to one'a mind tH the
atoriM Uiejr evei board ol liannted hoases and »pp&riUoDK tba ^w
tlun or iJia natire inhabitants haa htutcned Uie depredatioua of tiiat,
whoiiD ravages are unrepaired, eieept in the part immediately noeapM
by tlio doineslicBi yet what ia tlie duuige of the bnilding coin|>and
to the revolution whicb took place in the fortnces of her wlig odm
behold a prospect of being its mistress ; the earl of Dnnreath'a eldat
tlaughter, a» I liave often heard trom many, was & Mlebraled bean^

CHiLunan or

443

Earl's death she belra}-ed a partiality fur a man every waj bllerior
to h«r, wl ich [ittitiality, people liave not scrupled to say, oomtnenced,
u)d was iniiulged to a urjimnal degree during the lire-time of her
husband. 8tie wculd have married hiia had not ter daughter, the
Marchioness of !loE!in«, int^rfervd. Pruud and ambitioaa, her rage
St the prospect of anoh an alliance knew no hounds, and seconded by
the iniu-qui«, whose dupositiun was cuugonial to her own, thuy gut
the unfortunate mother into their power, and hurried her off to a
ODDvent in France. 1 know not whether she is yet living; indeed I
believe there are few either know or care, she was ao much disliked
for her hanghty disposition. I have eornetimes asked mj aout abont
her, hat she would never gratify my curiosity. She has been brought
up in the family, and no doubt thinks herself bound to oouceal
whatever they choose.

'' She lives in ease and plenty, and in absolute roistreas of the few
dumestitJ! that reside in the Abbey; but of tliose domestics I
oaution yon in time, or they will be apt to fill your head with fright-
Ital stories of the Abbey, which sometimes, if one's spirits are wwik,
In spite of reason, will make an impression on the mind. They pre-
tend that tlie Earl of Dnnreath'a first wife haunts the Ahhey, venting
the most piteong moans, which they ascribe to grief for the anfortu-
Bate fate of her datighter, and that daughter's children being deprived
of their rightful patrimony.

"I honestly confeaa, when at tlio Abbey a few years ago, during
wme distreaws of my husband's, 1 heard strange noises one evening
at twilight, B» 1 walked insgallery. I told my anntof them, andahe
was quii« anfnr at the involantary terror I expressed, and said it waa
nothing but the wind whistling through some adjoining galleriea
Whioh I hjard. But this my dear Fanny," said Mrs. Duncan, who on
■oconnt of her children had contiaued the latter part of her discourse,
ioalow voice, "is all between otirselves; for my aunt declared sha
would never pardon my mentioning my ridioalous fears, or the yet
more ridiculous fears of the servants, to any haman being."

Amanda listened in silence to Mrs. Duncan's discourse, fearful that
if slie spoke the should betray the emotions it eicited.

They at \mt entered between the mountains that enclosed the
valley on which the Abbey stood. The scene was solemn and solilorj.
Every prospect, eiMpt one of tb« >es, soea throngh an aiiorturc in one

of themoimUJiis, wa» exuludod. Scraeof tbeun:
oraggj and projecting; others were akirted with ti-ees, robed with
vivid green, and crowned with whit« acd yellow furic: soma w«r<
all a wood of inMnningled shades, and others covered with long sod
purple heath; varionii Btreoma Uowed from them into the vallaf, somo
stole gentlj down their sides in silver rills, giving beauty and vigour
wherever they meandered; others tumbled from fragment to frag-
ment, with a noise not undelightfiil to the ear, and formed fur them-
selves a deep bod in the valley, over which troef, that appeared ooend
with the building, bent their old and leafy heads.

At the foot of what to the rest was colled a gently swelling hill, !aj
the remaios of the extensive gardens which hod once given tUe loxn-
riua of the vegetable world to the banqueta of llio Abbey : bit eh*
hDJldlngs which had nursed Iboae luxuries were all gone to decey,
and the gay iilantatlons were overrun with the progeny of DOgJMnind
sloth.

The Abbey was one "f tlie most venerable looking bni'ding*
Amanda bad ever beheld ; bat it was in meloochu'.y giAddsnr abe
now saw it. In the wane of its days, when ila glory was passed
away, and the whole pile proclaiiued desertion and decay, aoe saw ft,
when to use the beantifnl language of Hutchinson, its pade was brci^
low, when \ti magnificeDee was sinking in the dast, when iribulatioD
had taken the seat of hospitality, and solitode reigned, vhere rooe
the jocund guest had laughed over Uie sparkling bowl, whilst the
owls sung nightly their Gtrains of melancholy to the moonshine that
slept upon its mouldering battlements.

The heart of Amanda was full of the fond idea of her parents, and
tlie liigli of tender remembrance stole from it. '■ [low little room,""
thotight she, "should there be in the human heart fur iLe worldly
pride which so often dilates it, hahle as nil things are to chang* tbe
distress in which the deajendants of noble families are fo ut'le^ eata,
the decline of such lamilies themselveB should check 'hat anvfgsnt pr*-
sumption with which so many look forward to having tlicir grealceM
and prosperity perpetuated through every branch of their poaterity.

The proud possessora of this Abbey, aurrotiiided witli aHliience, and
living in its full cDJoymont, never perliapa admitted the idea SB at all
iir^ibable, that one of their descendanls should ever approach Uie «rtt
of her ancestors without thut pomp and clfBsntE which herwltrfw*?

J

dutiugulahed its tlitugliUre. Aiiul une now ftpproaokes it nerlhur U>
iKspluy or uunteuipkla the pogSAotr; of weoltli, but meek ar.d lunly;
not to receive ihe smik of love, or tb« embrace of reUtirea, bal
>fSict«il Aud ankuuwii, glad to Had